Blackbird Pie 2022 Christmas

Page(s): Content:

4 to 9 What’s on this winter and cracking Christmas events!

Christmas at Camel Creek Indoor Fun 10 & 11 Winter calendar 2022 12 to 14 Theatre shows & pantomimes 15 COAST winter activities programme

CHT financial support for schools trips 16 Christmas books review

17 Lights & Lanterns at National Maritime Museum Cornwall

18 Top books from 2022 Kernow Health: Advice on coughs & sneezes

19 Eden’s Festival of Christmas with Santa and ice-skating

Dear Readers, Shorter days? Why not take advantage of them and trip the light fantastic? There are lantern parades, late-night Christmas markets and fireworks all over Cornwall (Truro, Newquay & more on page 4).

The Eden Project will be filled with spellbinding patterns of light, there’s a shimmering festive celebration of maritime light at the NMMC and you can delight in incredible textures and colours at Heligan. Glorious tunnels of light can be enjoyed at Camel Creek (see page 8) and in an underground wonderland at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum.

Santa and his elves are dizzyingly busy; their appearances from Penzance to Bude via Enys can be found all the way through this issue. The Blackbird has found some free Santa events too.

There are 5 pages of fabulous family-friendly shows and pantomimes to enjoy in our article and more in the central calendar.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Vanessa, Simon and the Blackbird

We believe that all details are correct at the time of going to print but cannot accept any responsibility for mistakes or omissions. We try to ensure all events featured will be enjoyed by younger children but in some instances we cannot test this and have to rely on the opinions of the organisers.

Please mention us to advertisers

Contact us at: “ Blackbird Pie” , Flying Pig Publishing, 3 Basset Place, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2SS  post@blackbirdpie.co.uk  01326 314242 www.blackbirdpie.co.uk

What’s on this winter

See pages 12 to 14 for theatre shows & pantomimes, page 15 for COAST activities programme, page 17 for Lights & Lanterns at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth and page 19 for Christmas at the Eden Project

Truro’s Christmas celebrations start on 18 Nov with Festive Friday, sponsored by Great Western Railway and brought to the city by Truro BID. Pirate FM will help switch on Truro’s Christmas Lights at 7pm; there will be entertainment, a parade and a market. Late Night Shopping is every Wednesday from 23 Nov; and TFM’s BIG Christmas Market returns to Lemon Quay from 2 Dec.

On 31 Dec, there will be two New Year’s Eve Truro City Council fireworks displays; with family fireworks at 7.30pm, then Midnight fireworks to welcome the New Year. Both displays can be watched from Lemon Quay and are free (thanks to kind donations, and to Truro School, who set the fireworks off from their grounds). For info on Christmas in Truro: www.visittruro.org.uk

Festive fun: Newquay from the 25 to 27 Nov: Christmas market, Santa’s Grotto, food stalls, live music, carols & street performers. 25 Nov: 7.45 Light Switch On, then fireworks. Redruth festive fun on 26 Nov see https://discoverredruth.co.uk/ St Austell 26 Nov: noon to 6pm. Christmas lights switch on at 5pm; Winter Wonderland in Holy Trinity Church; bands, choirs, balloonmodelling, face-painting, Teacup ride & Victorian Roundabout, stilts walkers, Studio 4, Cornwall Performing Arts, and of course, Santa. www.staustell.co.uk/

Liskeard, Christmas Fayre, Stuart House, 28 Nov to 21 Dec 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, free.

Padstow Christmas Festival 1 to 4 Dec: market, chef demos, Santa, adults £7, under 16s free, www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk Launceston Town Square, 2 Dec, 4 to 8pm: an evening of merriment, Christmas lights switch on, traditional Christmas parade & market, children’s rides and Santa on his sleigh.

Fowey Christmas Market, 2 to 4 Dec: over 200 market stalls, choirs, bands, street performers, Christmas lights, and meet Santa! 2 Dec: Father Christmas & Fowey Town Band Parade.

Bude, Parkhouse Centre & Castle, Christmas Fayre, 4 Dec 11am: stalls, local musicians & performers - wonderful free festive fun in the Castle inc. Santa’s grotto, children’s workshops, face painting, storytelling & magic shows. 01288 357305 www.thecastlebude.co.uk

Falmouth, Festive Weekend 10 to 11 Dec 12noon to 6pm: free activities - Miracle Theatre Santa’s grotto, snowy streets, strolling entertainers, live music stage, songs & carols, brass bands & dance displays, market. Pay for: festive land train £2, snow globe photos £1, children’s rides, ice rink £2, curling lane £2. www.falmouth.co.uk

Torpoint, Mount Edgcumbe Christmas Fayre, 10 & 11 Dec 10am to 4pm: entertainers, family activity zone, stilt walkers, visit Santa’s Grotto, £4 adults, £1 child, parking £1 per car www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk/

Santas on the Run Eden Project, 4 Dec: walk, jog or run the Christmas themed 2k route. Waves at 11am and 2.30pm with just 400 per wave, so book early. £12 adult, £6 child, under 2s free, includes a medal, festive treat and entry to Eden! Competitions for the most inventive festive outfits. www.chsw.org.uk/event/santas-run-eden-project-2022

Raze the Roof, Penryn, 17 Dec: Christmas Fancy Dress Disco Party, 6 to 9pm, meet Santa in his grotto, disco, prizes for best dressed & disco games, £12.50 includes Yule dogs, berry juice & a gift from Santa, adults 50p. 01326 377481 Email: hello@razevr.fun www.razevr.fun/book/

Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance 01736 363625. Little Penlee Explorers Free sessions for pre-schooler children aged 2 ½+; enjoy stories, rhymes, making and doing, all inspired by amazing artwork! 1 to 2.30pm, no booking required. Special Christmasthemed creative sessions on 6 Dec Christmas Past & 20 Dec Colourful Christmas.

28 Nov, 12 Dec, 9 & 23 Jan: Baby & Parent, free sessions, exploring amazing artworks & enjoying sensory play in the gallery. Free Family Fun family activities Saturdays 2.30 to 3.30pm - be inspired by Fred Yates’ paintings: 26 Nov create paper chains of people, & 3 Dec ‘fuzzy felt’ scenes; Christmas makes - 10 Dec cards & 17 Dec dazzling Christmas tree decorations. penleehouse.org.uk or phone 01736 363625.

No.3 Lash and Brow House, Truro Wandering what to do for your special little girl’s party? No.3 are ready to spoil your little princess with a princess party and secret cinema…shhh! The birthday girl and her guests will be pampered like never before with minimanicures and pedicures. Nibbles, drinks, decorations and party bags are included; secret cinema £5 per child. 01872 271304 /email no3lashandbrow@gmail.com

The Box - Plymouth’s award-winning museum & art gallery (free admission) – have a very festive feel to their family-friendly events - free ‘Tell Me a Story’ sessions on Friday mornings will include seasonal tales; ‘Breakfast with Santa’ on Saturday & Sunday mornings from 26 Nov (book soon for your date with the man in red, a tasty bap, pancakes & a drink); and festive making drop-in workshop sessions on 26 Nov, 3 or 10 Dec: make festive cats inspired by Andy Holden’s ceramic cats on display in British Art Show 9. www.theboxplymouth.com

novelEnglish Christmas Courses - 2-night / 3-day courses (options of residential or non-residential) for 8 to 12- year-olds - craft your own spooky tale, feast on festive food, and revel in the season’s cheer! 18 to 20 Dec: A Dickensian Christmas - go beyond A Christmas Carol to explore a host of Dickens’ well-known ghostly tales and create your own! Discover Victorian-era party games like Blind Man’s Buff, and banquet on festive treats. 28 to 30 Dec: Dare to brave the pages of Philip Pullman’s Clockwork, a wintery fairy-tale of unsettling goings on. Design your own automata, then set it off in a story of your own. Tick, tock, once tightly wound, there’s no knowing where it might end up!

For information email enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk

Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life

26 Nov 2022 – 1 May 2023

Free with admission, under 18s free

Discover more about Barbara Hepworth, a leading figure in the international art scene, who made St Ives her home after moving here at the outbreak of the Second World War.

www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/barbara-hepworth-art-and-life Winter Festival

26 & 27 November 2022

10.00 – 17.20 (Hepworth Museum closes at 16.20)

Special £1 admission at each site, Free for under 18s Celebrate the start of the festive season with a weekend packed full of things to do for all the family. Enjoy pop-up talks, making activities, choir performances and film screenings.

www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/tate-st-ives-winter-festival

Doodle Fest

27 December 2022 – 1 January 2023

Daily 10.00-16.00 Free with admission, under 18s free Join us for Doodle Fest over the Christmas holidays and take part in our winter art challenge. Pick up your postcards from our family welcome trolley and see if you can complete all three of our wintery doodle challenges as you explore the gallery together. www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-st-ives/doodle-fest

Hepworth Family Activity Trail

Daily, £3 per pack from the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Designed for families to have fun together whilst discovering the magical environment that was Hepworth’s home and studio. Discover more here https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives/visit-tate-st-ives-family

Get your £5 Locals’ Pass!

Cornwall residents get unlimited year-round entry to Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden for just £5 https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives/tate-st-ives-locals-pass

Barbara Hepworth Hollow Form With White 1965 © Bowness. Photo © Rikard Österlund

Heartlands’ Nadelik Christmas Market (above) 3 & 4 Dec, 10am to 4pm, local crafts, gifts, seasonal treats, entertainers and a visit from Santa! 50p adults (proceeds go to repairs for the play park).

Photo © Kirsten Prisk

Wondering what to do for your special little girl’s party?

No 3 are ready to spoil your little princess. The birthday girl and her guests will be pampered like never before with little lady mini-manicures and pedicures.

Nibbles, drinks, decorations and party bags are included.

Minimum 4 guests.

£35 each - under 7 year olds

£40 each - under 12 year olds

Add a secret cinema experience for an extra £5 per child. For more information and to book, please call 01872 271304 or email no3lashandbrow@gmail.com

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, on various dates from 18 Nov to 2 Jan become immersed in an enchanting lantern experienceThe Heligan Night Garden - set amidst the atmospheric Lost Gardens. Journey through woodlands and gardens beautifully lit with installations and lanterns. There is a new and extended route this year and lots of new installations. Book asap on www.heligan.com Reduced rates for Heligan Members and Local Pass holders, under 5s go free. (Heligan Local’s Pass - pay once get in free for a year)

Bodmin & Wenford Railway, 3, 4, 10, 11 & 17 to 24 Dec: Santa by Steam – all aboard for a magical, nostalgic ride on a steam train and visit Santa in his Victorian carriage! Back at Bodmin General receive a gift from Santa and enjoy Christmas craft activities.

6 & 7, 13 & 14 Dec: Storytime with Santa: write your Christmas list with help from Santa’s elves, sip hot chocolate & cookies, meet Santa as he walks along the train, collecting wish lists and giving children his bedtime storybook; 4.30 to 7pm. 2, 9 & 16 Dec: Christmas Murder Mysteries for budding super sleuths. 6 to 10pm, family of 4 (2A&2C), £87, includes Cornish pasties and drinks.

Newquay Zoo Santa will be in his magical grotto from 17 to 24 Dec 10.45am to 4pm (to 2pm on Christmas Eve). £9.50 child includes a gift. (Grotto tickets do not include entry to Newquay Zoo). All children can enjoy the FREE reindeer-food-making activity. Then meet your favourite animals, discover new and unusual species, and get up close to some of the wonders of the natural world. There’s lots of outdoor play areas to let off steam (even grownups can join in Tarzan Trail assault course!) Newquay Zoo is a registered charity, so you get a great day out and you know your money is supporting education, scientific research and conservation in the UK and overseas. For best prices book online www.newquayzoo.org.uk

Historic Days Out with English Heritage. From legendary castles to a host of ancient sites, there are wonderful places to explore in winter, just visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/days-out-cornwall

Teachers, enhance animal-related topics with a visit from Mark’s Ark Wildlife Encounters. A brilliant opportunity for children to get close to various invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals in this enthusiastic, interactive, fact-filled show for all ages. Topics covered mini-beasts, animal classification, habitats, dragons, rainforests, predators, biomimicry, owls. Fully insured, risk assessed, and brilliant value! 07761810900, email: markwiles3@aol.com. Available for parties, fetes and events.

Bodmin Keep 20 to 22 Dec: Join Bodmin Keep for festive activities full of crafting, exploring, and learning, 10am to 4pm: make Christmas tree decorations, wreaths, or gift tags, all free with entry (annual pass £7 adult, £3 child, under 5s free) or £2 per session without a ticket. Keep your eyes peeled for reopening offers for February 2023. See www.bodminkeep.org for what’s on each day.

Half Price Locals’ winter offer at Bodmin Jail, Just turn up with your Cornish ID, quote code LOCALS50 and mention BlackbirdPie for half-price standard selfguided Jail entry.

On Saturdays at 10.30am, enter a fascinating and revolting world of crime and punishment with the Junior Jailers guided tours for brave 7 years +, £12.50 & adults £15.

Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith. Free garden entry for under 5yrs. Have a wonderful adventure exploring different parts of the garden with one of Trebah’s children’s trails, £2 per child (includes a prize). Or just get clambering and playacting in the fantastic wooden adventure play areas - Tarzan’s Camp for over 5 years and Fort Stuart for under 5s.

PK Porthcurno: Museum of Global Communications. Until end of Dec: The Tom Gates Mega Museum Challenge activity pack - Spot Ten Random Things from the sheet & get scribbling in the Doodle Challenge, free with entry. 29 Dec noon to 2pm: Mini PK Tours with PK’s Learning Facilitator, free with entry. Join Planet PK Champions free monthly environmental club for 7 to 12 years - 26 Nov 10.30am to 12noon: Use tools of the past to write a message to the future; using feather quills and old- fashioned typewriters. 21 Jan: details TBC. The regular members’ pack contains your Planet PK Champions passport, seeds to plant, postcards, a ring binder and a medal.

Cornwall Heritage Trust. Discover Cornwall’s story. From just £20 a year, Cornwall Heritage Trust family membership includes free entry to all English Heritage sites in Cornwall, Geevor Tin Mine Museum, 50% off at Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum, 50% off for adults to King Edward Mine and 50% off at the Arthurian Centre. Members get priority access to a packed calendar of special events and guided walks. Mention Blackbird Pie for free fudge with your membership! www.cornwallheritagetrust.org

Dairyland Farm Park, near Newquay. 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 to 24 Dec: Christmas Park 10am to 6pm, Christmas lights, toast marshmallows on fire pits, elves’ craft workshop, singing reindeer, indoor & outdoor play areas and the animals in the Hay Barn & Bug Zone. Breakfast with Santa 8.45am to 10am or visit him in his Grotto and chat with the Elves,10am to 5.40pm. You will need to buy separate tickets for Santa’s Grotto £7 child & park entry £7 adult, £10 child over 80cm, free for under 80cms.

Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown, 3 Dec to 8 Jan: Tunnel of Lights - journey through a snowy winter wonderland of Narnia’s frozen forests, past giant baubles & glittering presents, through Candy Land, a German Christmas Market and along a tunnel of twinkling lights. Off peak tickets available, under 5s free, book on www.shipwreckcharlestown.co.uk

Indoor Fun!

The Seahorse, Pentewan Sands, St Austell, (above) enjoy two 18-metre indoor swimming pools, a lap pool for adults, a play pool with a water flume, a whirlpool bath to relax in and a shallow ‘beach’ for toddlers; adult £6, child £5, under 3s free. Then relax with delicious locally-sourced food at the coffee shop or restaurant and soak in the sweeping sea views. seahorsecornwall.co.uk 01726 845208

Jungle Jack’s, Newquay have 1,700 square feet of challenging climbs, rope bridge, astra-glide slide, crafty crawl tubes and a baby and toddler area. Book online & use discount code BBP01OFF for £1 off, www.junglejacks.co.uk. Free play & entry for under 1s, adult entry just £1.50. 6 Months Winter Pass With unlimited visits, £60 (just £10 a month, with a £5 discount on each additional sibling) 01637 852890 or email info@junglejacks.co.uk

Magical Christmas Wonderland at Camel Creek

This Christmas, Camel Creek Family Theme Park is pulling out all the stops to make the festive season extra special.

A whole host of activities will take place at Cornwall’s top family attraction from 26 November to 23 December, creating a truly magical Christmas wonderland experience.

Families who have purchased the Santa experience are invited to board the Elf Express to Santa’s Grotto where they will then adventure through the Christmas tree forest and enjoy some festive arts and crafts before sharing a personal magic moment with Father Christmas. In the elf workshop children can then pick out a special gift with Santa’s helper whilst the grown-ups enjoy a complimentary warm drink and mince pie!

The journey doesn’t stop there - present in hand, families can then walk back through the sparkly light tunnel (which is longer and more magical than ever before!) and enjoy the Park’s usual fun and excitement, including the indoor play area, thrilling rides, animal enclosures and amazing photo opportunities

Book Christmas at Camel Creek over the phone by calling 01841 540276.

The Santa Experience is £19.95 per person and £11.95 for annual pass holders.

JungleBarn ‘Late Afternoon Play Only’ sessions Paradise Park, Hayle. During the winter the Park closes early due to daylight, so from 3pm to 5.30pm late afternoon play sessions are discounted in the JungleBarn. Adult £4.95, 3 to 15-year-olds £6.95, under 3s free, booking advisable. There is a special toddlers’ area and older children & adults can enjoy the massive, multi -level soft play area with Spinning Discs, Astra Slide, the Big Blue, Drop and Double Drop slides, Ladders, climb ropes, Squeeze rollers and Roller Poles, X Changer, Fireman’s Pole, Corner Climber, Tube slide, Swing over nets and more! paradisepark.org.uk 01736 751020

Raze the Roof soft play, virtual reality & laser tag arena, Penryn. Huge, well-designed indoor play area including a vertical drop slide, four lane astro-slide, bash bags, rollers and rope walks, plus loads for toddlers. Zumbini with Chelsea Tuesdays from 9.30am and kids boxing Thursdays from 5pm. There are also crafts sessions, guitar lessons, monthly kids’ discos and more! RazeVR has virtual reality games for all ages, and for parties. 8 & 9 Dec: Christmas Fair, 10am to 8pm.

Wheal Play, Heartlands, Pool. Bright and colourful mining-themed soft play centre with a cheery team. Open Monday to Sunday, call 01209 707308 for times. Child £4.95 adults £1, local’s discount available for TR postcodes!

Penzance & Hayle Taekwon-Do is an established martial arts club with early evening classes for children on Tuesdays for 5 to 11 years & for 11+, at Mounts Bay Academy and on Fridays in Hayle at Passmore Edwards Institute from 6pm. New members are welcome and the first month is free! Contact Simon Barnes on Barney_tkd@hotmail.co.uk or 07794 538018

Could you be a Volunteer Advocate?

Are you an approachable, confident, encouraging communicator?

Would you listen to children and make sure their voices are heard? Could you empower young people experiencing the care system or involved in child protection proceedings so their rights are respected? If you have time during school hours, we’d love to hear from you on 07517 830 730 or email allison.piggott@barnardos.org.uk

Registered Charity Nos. 216250 and SC037605

INCREDIBLE things happen when we believe in children

Indoor Play - Parties - Virtual Reality - Laser Tag razetheroof.co.uk Penryn Christmas Party

Mondays Minnows Tales, NMMC, Falmouth, term time, drop-in 11 to 11.30am, stories, songs, and rhymes for under 5s, free, adults free with annual pass Tuesdays Penzance Taekwon-Do, Mounts Bay Academy, early evening classes for children for 5 to 11 years & for 11+, first month free! 07794 538018

Fridays Storytelling, The Box, Plymouth, every Friday 10.30am, free admission Saturdays Free Arty Afternoons, Penlee House, Penzance, 2.30 to 3.30pm

TAEKWON-DO HAYLE & PENZANCE

First Month Free

Now in Hayle:

Passmore Edwards Institute Fridays from 6pm

Penzance: Mounts Bay Academy

Tuesday 6-7 pm (5-11 years)

Tuesday 7-8 pm (11 years +) 07794 538018

barney_tkd@hotmail.co.uk www.tkd.co.uk

18 Nov Launch of Truro’s Christmas celebrations, Christmas lights switch-on at 7pm, parade with Santa, all-day market & entertainment from 3pm www.visittruro.org.uk

18 Nov to 2 Jan The Heligan Night Garden, journey through the atmospheric Lost Gardens beautifully lit with installations & lanterns, book asap www.heligan.com

From 23 Nov Wednesday festive evenings, Truro, late-night shopping, Christmas lights & entertainment in Victoria Gardens 7, 14 & 21 Dec: traffic-free shopping streets from 2pm & street food in Boscawen St from 3pm www.visittruro.org.uk

24 Nov to 14 Jan Pinocchio, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

25 to 27 Nov

Free festive fun, Newquay, Christmas market, Santa’s Grotto, food stalls, live music, family entertainment, carols & street performers. 25 Nov: 7.45 Lights switch on, then fireworks

26 Nov Redruth festive fun, details on discoverredruth.co.uk

St Austell festivities, noon to 6pm, Christmas lights switch on 5pm, Winter Wonderland in Holy Trinity Church, bands, choirs, balloon-modelling, face-painting, Teacup ride & Victorian Roundabout, stilts-walkers, Studio 4, Cornwall Performing Arts and, of course, Santa www.staustell.co.uk

Planet PK Champions, PK Porthcurno, free environmental club for 7 to 12 years, 10.30am to 12noon, use tools of the past to write a message to the future using feather quills and old-fashioned typewriters 26 & 27 Nov Winter Festival, Tate St Ives & Hepworth Museum, special £1 admission, under 18s free, enjoy pop-up talks, making activities, choirs & film screenings, see page 5

26 Nov, 3 or 10 Dec Free festive drop-in workshop sessions, The Box, Plymouth, make festive cats inspired by Andy Holden’s ceramic cats in British Art Show 9, 10.30 to 12.30, 1.30 to 3.30pm, drop-in 26 Nov to 10 Dec Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sterts Amphitheatre, Upton Cross, spectacular musical under a magical, technicolour canopy, 01579 362382 www.sterts.co.uk

26 Nov to 18 Dec Sat & Sun mornings Breakfast with Santa, The Box, Plymouth, book asap on https://my.theboxplymouth.com/4610

28 Nov to 21 Dec Christmas Fayre in the Gallery, Stuart House, Liskeard, 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, free

1 to 4 Dec Padstow Christmas Festival, market, chefs, Santa, £7, under 16s £0, www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk 1 to 31 Dec Treasure Island, Hall for Cornwall, Truro, Christmas adventure starring Edward Rowe (Kernow King) as Long John Silver hallforcornwall.co.uk 01872 262466 2 Dec An evening of free merriment, Launceston, 4 to 8pm, lights switch on, parade, Christmas market, children’s rides & Santa on his sleigh 2 & 3 Dec Is That a Bolt in Your Neck? Gonzo Moose’s rollicking show inspired by 1930s Gothic Horror movie classics, for age 7+, 7.30pm, 2 Dec: Hall for Gwinear, Hayle, 3 Dec: Grampound Village Hall, www.ticketsource.co.uk 2 to 4 Dec Fowey Christmas Market, over 200 stalls, choirs, bands, street performers, Christmas lights & meet Santa! 2 Dec: Santa & Fowey Town Band Parade 2, 9 & 16 Dec Christmas Murder Mysteries, Bodmin Railway, for budding super sleuths, 6 to 10pm, family of 4 (2A&2C), £87, including pasties & drinks, must book bodminrailway.co.uk

Christmas at the Eden Project, all-new immersive music and light experience, meet Father Christmas, ice skating, pre-book www.edenproject.com 01726 811911

Winter Tales with Jack Frost & Friends, Coppice Theatre at Helston Museum, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm, free, drop-in 45 minute sessions for 5yrs +

‘Nadelik’ Christmas Market, Heartlands, Pool, 10am to 4pm, local crafts, Christmas gifts, entertainers & visits from Santa! 50p adult

Squashbox puppet shows, Sat 11am: The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness! Trebah Gdn www.trebahgarden.co.uk, Sun 2.30pm: Stones and Bones, Tolmen Ctre, Constantine, tolmencentre.co.uk

Santa by Steam, Bodmin Railway, ride aboard a steam train & visit Santa, gift & Christmas craft activities, book on bodminrailway.co.uk

Christmas Park, Dairyland Farm Park, near Newquay, 10am to 6pm, Christmas lights, elves’ workshop, singing reindeer, breakfast with Santa, visit Santa, book dairylandfarmpark.com

Christmas at Trelissick, Feock, Trelissick House open 3 to 31 Dec, 12 Days of Christmas displays, festive food, choirs & craft fair 3 & 4 Dec. Weekends in Dec: Father Christmas’s festive tales, child £6/ adult £2 + entry book tickets www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events 01872 862090, mention BBP

Tunnel of Lights, Shipwreck Treasure Mus. Charlestown, journey in a spectacular, snowy winter-wonderland & a tunnel of twinkling lights, off-peak tickets, under 5s free, book www.shipwreckcharlestown.co.uk 4

to

to 8

Bude Free Christmas Fayre, Parkhouse Centre & Castle, from 11am, stalls, musicians & performers, Santa’s grotto, children’s craft workshops, face painting, storytelling & magic shows www.thecastlebude.co.uk Santas on the Run, Eden Project, walk, jog or run the Christmas-themed 2k route, 11am & 2.30pm, limited places, £12 or £6 child, under 2s £0, includes Eden entry! www.chsw.org.uk/event/santas-run-eden-project-2022

The Christmas Mouse, Soapbox Theatre, Plymouth for under 7s, stiltskin.org.uk 07449 724261

Storytime on Santa’s train, Bodmin Railway, Christmas lists, elves, hot chocolate & cookies, Santa with storybook gifts, 4.30 to 7pm, must book bodminrailway.co.uk

Special Christmas-themed Little Penlee Explorers, Penlee House, Penzance, free creative sessions for pre-schoolers age 2 ½+, stories, rhymes, making & doing, inspired by amazing art! drop-in 1 to 2.30pm, 6 Dec Christmas Past, 20 Dec Colourful Christmas, 01736 363625

Is That a Bolt in Your Neck? Theatre Royal Plymouth, see 2 & 3 Dec, 01752 267222

Dec

Tel: 07761 810900 www.marks-ark.co.uk

Miracle Theatre’s re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty, St Ives Guildhall, Holiday Camp Yellowjackets’ mangled attempts lead to hilarious mistakes; song & dance, for age 7+, 01736 798577 stivesguildhall.ticketsolve.com Snow White, Lane Theatre, Newquay, traditional pantomime, 01637 876945

10 Dec Christmas Cracker Extravaganza with Sally Crabtree, Helston Museum, 11am & 1pm, create crackers & make edible yule time art, age 5yrs+, free but book www.eventbrite.co.uk Sing Along-A-Jingle, 3pm, for all ages

10 & 11 Dec Squashbox’s The Christmassy Christmas Show! puppets, songs, slapstick & tall tales, for age 4+. Sat 2 & 4pm: Old Library, Bodmin intobodmin.co.uk/events. Sunday 2pm: Princess Pavilion, Falmouth www.seetickets.com Falmouth’s Festive Weekend 12 noon to 6pm: free activities - Miracle Theatre Santa’s grotto, snowy streets, entertainers, live music stage, songs & carols, brass bands & dance displays, market. Pay for: festive land train £2, snow globe £1, children’s rides, ice rink £2, www.falmouth.co.uk

10, 11, 17, 18, 21..23

Mount Edgcumbe Christmas Fayre, Torpoint 10am to 4pm: family zone, stilt walkers, Santa’s Grotto, £4 adult, £1 child, parking £1 www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk

Father Christmas at Trerice, near Newquay, half-hour storytelling sessions, +gift for child, must book, £3 adult/ £4 child +entry, 01637 875404, mention BBP

10 to 24 Dec The Snow Cat at Yuletide, Soapbox Theatre, Plymouth, enchanting Icelandic story with mischievous elves & incredible puppets, age 4+, stiltskin.org.uk 07449 724261

11 & 12 Dec Santa Saves Christmas, Regal Theatre, Redruth, 11 Dec 11am & 2pm; 12 Dec 10.30am & 1pm, festive, musical, interactive adventure for 2- to 7-year-olds, after the show Meet & Greet Santa, 01209 216278 redruth.merlincinemas.co.uk/regal-theatre

12 Dec Baby & Parent free session, Penlee House, Penzance, explore amazing artworks & enjoy sensory play in the gallery. Sessions also on 9 & 23 Jan 2023, 01736 363625

13 Dec Toddle Tate, free fun session for under 5s, adult £1 or free with £5 Locals’ Annual Pass, see page 5

13 to 31 Dec The Mousehole Cat, Solomon Browne Hall, Mousehole, 11.30am, 3.30 & 6.30pm, Cousin Jack’s magical puppet & live-action production, see page 13, cousinjacks.org 01736 810181

15 to 17, 20 to 24 &

27 to 31

Sleeping Beauty, Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Miracle Theatre’s quirky, re-imagining of the tale, see 8 to 11 Dec, 01326 211222 www.seetickets.com

16 Dec to 14 Jan Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 01752 267222

17 Dec Christmas Fancy Dress Disco Party, Raze the Roof, Penryn, 6 to 9pm, Santa’s grotto, disco, prizes, disco games, £12.50 includes Yule dogs, berry juice & gift, adults 50p, 01326 377481 www.razevr.fun/book/ David Mynne’s A Christmas Carol, St Ives Guildhall, mesmerising, funny one-man performance of Dickens’ story, age 9+, 01736 798577 stivesguildhall.ticketsolve.com

17 to 24 Dec Santa’s magical grotto, Newquay Zoo, and make festive reindeer-food, see page 6, book www.newquayzoo.org.uk

17 Dec to 1 Jan Lanterns and Lights, National Maritime Museum, Falmouth, Christmas with a magical nautical twist: magically lit boats, merry Make & Takes and a stellar Trail, details page 17, pay once, get in free for a year

18 to 20 Dec novelEnglish Dickensian Christmas, Ruan Minor, 2-night / 3-day children’s courses (residential or daily), explore Dickens’ ghostly tales, craft tales, feast on festive food, play Victorian party games & revel in the season’s cheer! See page 16, email enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk

20 to 22 Dec Festive Activities, Bodmin Keep, 10am to 4pm make tree decorations, wreaths, or gift tags, free with entry or £2 without a ticket, see www.bodminkeep.org

20 to 23, 27 to 30 Elf the Musical JR, St Ives Theatre, Kidz R Us blockbuster Christmas musical with large ensemble numbers, 2 & 6.30pm, 01736 797007 www.kidzrus.net

21 & 22 David Mynne’s A Christmas Carol, The Minack, Porthcurno, 01736 810181

22 & 23 Dec Christmas Shows, Acorn, Penzance, 22 Dec, 2 & 7pm: Squashbox’s Christmassy Show 23 Dec, 7.30pm: David Mynne’s A Christmas Carol 01736 363545 www.theacornpenzance.com

25 Dec Merry Christmas from the Blackbird

27/12..1/1 Doodle Fest & £5 Locals’ Annual Pass, Tate St Ives, see page 5

28 to 30 Dec novelEnglish Christmas course, Ruan Minor, Philip Pullman’s wintery fairy-tale Clockwork, design automata, craft tales & feast on festive food, see page 16 and above (18 Dec), email enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk

29 Dec Mini PK Tours, PK Porthcurno, with PK’s Learning Facilitator, free with entry, 12 to 2pm

30 Dec & 2 Jan The Sea Show, Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, 2pm, Squashbox’s puppets, songs, silly slapstick & tall tales, for age 4+, www.minack.com

31 Dec New Year’s Eve fireworks displays, Lemon Quay, Truro, family fireworks at 7.30pm, then midnight fireworks to welcome the New Year, www.visittruro.org.uk

9 & 23 Jan Baby & Parent, free sessions, Penlee House, Penzance, exploring amazing artworks & enjoying sensory play in the gallery, 01736 363625

10 Jan Toddle Tate, free fun session for under 5s, adult £1 or free with £5 Locals’ Annual Pass, see page 5

11 to 15 Jan Dick Whittington, Regal Theatre, Redruth, RAMPS’ marvellous pantomime with magic, music, dancing, & slapstick comedy, 01209 216278 redruth.merlincinemas.co.uk/regal-theatre

14 Jan Wassail & family Ceilidh, Soapbox Theatre, Devonport Park, Plymouth, 5.30 to 9pm, dress up, help Jack Frost wake The Spellbound Wood, dance with Rackham’s Ruin ceilidh band, book stiltskin.org.uk 07449 724261

21 Jan Cinderella, Chacewater Village Hall, 7.30pm, www.ticketsource.co.uk

21 to 28 Jan Cinderella, Keay Theatre, St Austell, St Blazey Amateur Operatic Society’s annual pantomime www.ticketsource.co.uk/ 0333 666 3366

24 to 29 Jan Jack and the Beanstalk, Epworth Hall, Helston Theatre Company’s traditional pantomime filled with music, merriment and magic beans, CRBO 01726 63513

29 Jan Kowetha event at The Eden Project, email kowetha@live.co.uk for details. (Kowetha is a parent-led organisation supporting families of colour in Cornwall)

15 to 18 Feb Sleeping Beauty, Hayle Academy, Hayle, 7.30pm, traditional pantomime www.ticketsource.co.uk/ 07487 542654

Theatre Shows and Pantomimes

Theatre Royal Plymouth, 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

24 Nov to 14 Jan: Pinocchio. The classic story combined with Stuff and Nonsense’s hallmark hilarity, skilled puppetry, music & extraordi nary physical tricks; for ages 3 to10. Relaxed performance 30 Nov, BSL Interpreted 21 Dec, Relaxed with BSL & Audio 7 Jan.

6 to 24 Dec: presents Is That A Bolt In Your Neck? Inspired by Gothic Horror movie classics of the 1930s, Gonzo Moose’s rollicking show mixing spooky paranoia, surreal nightmare & hilarious slapstick; for age 7+.

20 to 24 Dec: The Winter Lights, an interactive festive experience for 0–3-year-olds with light, sound and sensory play. Join festive adven turers Emma and Morag, on a journey through the ice, snow and lights of the Arctic. You’ll encounter friendly snow beasts and stum bling reindeer on this enchanted, sensory adventure.

£10 per child up to 2 free adults per child

16 Dec to14 Jan: Sleeping Beauty with soap star and panto legend Shane Richie.

Sterts Amphitheatre, Upton Cross near Liskeard, 01579 362382 www.sterts.co.uk

26 Nov to 10 Dec: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat This much-loved Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice spectacular musi cal storms the Sterts stage this winter under a magical, technicolour canopy. The biblical story features iconic musical theatre classics in cluding Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door and Go, Go, Go Joseph A Sterts Youth Company amateur production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

Hall for Cornwall, Truro. hallforcornwall.co.uk 01872 262466

1 to 31 Dec: Treasure Island Ahoy there shipmates...Ready yourself for a classic Hall for Cornwall Christmas adventure starring Edward Rowe (Kernow King, Fisherman’s Friends The Musical, Bait) as Long John Silver in Treasure Island

This Cornwall Playhouse Production is a festive treat packed to the gunnels with family fun, songs you’ll know, and enough jolly jokes to make even the sternest pirate giggle!

Like all the best stories, the tale begins in Cornwall, where Jim, his Mum, and their pet chough have fallen on hard times. All looks lost until a tattered treasure map lands in Jim’s lap and their destiny is decided... if only they can find a boat, a crew, and safe passage to a mysterious faraway island...

Will they find the treasure? Can they evade steely Long John Silver, fearsome Lady Killigrew, and mischievous Brian the monkey? Join Jim Lad, his flamboyantly dressed Mum, and our motley crew of ne’er do wells and wrong-uns as we set sail for a magical island full of treasure, treachery, and adventure.

With tickets from just £15 as well as family tickets and great group rates, don’t miss the boat and book your passage now!

Photo credit Steve Tanner

Solomon Browne Hall, Mousehole Minack box office: 01736 810181

13 to 31 Dec 11.30am, 3.30 & 6.30pm: The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber adapted by Alan M Kent. The cat is back for 2022!

Cousin Jack’s will be bringing The Mousehole Cat back to Mousehole for the seventh consecutive year. This magical puppet and liveaction production is performed annually in the heart of Mousehole alongside the village’s famous Christmas light display. Based on the well-known Cornish legend this uniquely heartwarming story of the friendship between a fearless fisherman and his devoted cat will warm the cockles of everyone’s hearts... almost as much as an ‘efty portion of stargazy pie!

Visit cousinjacks.org for relaxed performances, flexible ticket prices & a raffle for free family tickets for each performance. Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport Park, Plymouth stiltskin.org.uk 07449 724261

3, 11, 15, 17, 20 to 24 Dec: The Christmas Mouse, for under 8s. 10, 17, 18, 20 to 24 Dec: The Snow Cat at Yuletide is an enchanting story from an Icelandic traditional tale with mischievous elves, incredible puppets, & a fantastic soundtrack, for age 4+.

St Ives Guildhall, 01736 798577 stivesguildhall.ticketsolve.com

8 to 11 Dec: Miracle Theatre’s re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty and the adventures of a resourceful princess with insomnia when a resentful fairy’s wicked spell goes horribly wrong… Be transported to the stage of the Cornwall Riviera Holiday Camp in 1959 where the legendary Yellowjackets are bursting to entertain the campers with their mangled version of this classic story; told with a song and a dance; a wink and a nudge! A scary-fairy-tale for ages 7+.

17 Dec: David Mynne’s A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ original words with added silliness; a mesmerising one-man performance of the timeless, transformative story. Age 9+

Princess Pavilion, Falmouth 01326 211222 www.seetickets.com

15 to 17, 20 to 24 & 27 to 31 Dec: Miracle Theatre’s brilliantly quirky re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty (details see above)

Lane Theatre, Newquay. lanetheatre.co.uk 01637 876945

8 to 11 Dec: Snow White Odd Socks Entertainment’s traditional pantomime with the odd modern reference.

10 Dec, 2 & 4pm: The Old Library, Bodmin. The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness! Join Squashbox for puppets, songs and comedy, and over-flowing with crazy characters, silly slapstick, tall tales and fantastic facts, for age 4+.

Rogue Winter Wood at Tehidy Woods, nr Portreath. Box Office 07814 558871, dates TBC, see rogueotherworld.co.uk/

Theatre Shows - continues on page

Regal Theatre, Redruth. 01209 216278 redruth.merlincinemas.co.uk/regal-theatre 11 Dec, 11am & 2pm; 12 Dec, 10.30am & 1pm:

Join Jack, Dasher the Reindeer, and Pompom the Penguin, for this festive, musical, interactive adventure, as they meet Father Christmas at his home in the North Pole and help Santa Save Christmas!

HO-HO-HO! The family show is designed for 2- to 7-year-olds, with plenty of festive songs including The Twelve Days Of Christmas, Jingle Bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas. After the 45-minute show Meet & Greet Santa (every child will receive a wrapped present from Father Christmas)

11 to 15 Jan: Dick Whittington, RAMPS’ marvelous family pantomime! Follow the story of poor Dick Whittington as he travels to London to find his fortune, believing the streets are paved with gold. Will his dreams come true, or will he be foiled by the evil King Rat? Throw in a dame, a Moroccan sultan, a cat, a captain, his mate, and some rats, season with magic, music, dancing, & slapstick comedy, and you have the recipe for another wonderful family show.

Award-winning Kidz R Us, St Ives Theatre 01736 797007 www.kidzrus.net

Kidz R Us blockbuster Christmas production Elf the Musical JR is on 20 to 23, 27 to 30 Dec, 2pm & 6.30pm. This fun family musical is for all ages, with plenty of large ensemble numbers. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to a new home at the North Pole. As the would-be elf grows, his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth so he sets off to New York City to discover his true identity. There he finds his father is on the naughty list and his stepbrother doesn’t believe in Santa! Buddy must help New York and his new family remember the true meaning of Christmas.

The Minack, Porthcurno, 01736 810181

21 Dec, 4pm & 22 Dec, 1 & 4pm: David Mynne’s A Christmas Carol

The Acorn, Penzance, 01736 363545 www.theacornpenzance.com

22 Dec, 2pm: Squashbox’s Christmassy Show (details above)

23 Dec, 7.30pm: David Mynne’s A Christmas Carol (details above)

Epworth Hall, Helston CRBO 01726 63513

24 to 29 Jan: Jack and the Beanstalk, Helston Theatre Company’s traditional pantomime filled with music, merriment and magic beans. Laugh with the Dame, boo at the Baddie, and cheer as Jack finds his true love. This promises to be a spectacular panto of giant (beanstalk) proportions!

Chacewater Village Hall, www.ticketsource.co.uk

20 Jan, 7.30pm: Cinderella, fun-filled family pantomime

The Keay Theatre, St Austell, 03336 663366, www.ticketsource.co.uk 21 to 28 Jan: Cinderella, St Blazey Amateur Operatic Society’s annual pantomime

Hayle Academy, Hayle, www.ticketsource.co.uk 07487 542654

15 to 18 Feb, 7.30pm: Sleeping Beauty, traditional pantomime

Santa Saves Christmas

Sports and Activities Holiday Club 19 to 22 December

St Ives * Helston * Hayle

for other Time2Move programmes in Cornwall visit https://playwaze.com/search/CustomFinder/ActiveCornwallActivityFinder

Coast Activity programme gives children a chance to discover all sorts of exciting activities and sports. It is a fantastic opportunity to be active, make friends, develop skills, and have fun. The sessions are led by experienced coaches who have a passion for engaging and supporting children. Children’s health and wellbeing are nurtured through active learning in a friendly, safe, and inclusive environment.

Coast Activity Programme is for all children from Reception age to Year 11.

Coast Camp Games for the whole family from 4 to 4.30pm every day. Swimming is available at some sites!

All children will be provided with a FREE healthy hot lunch and just need to bring a bottle of water and bags of energy.

To book scan the QR code or see CoastActivityProgramme.com

Free half-day spaces are available if eligible for Free School Meals. To get your code please go to www.activecornwall.org/T2MHolidayProgramme

Rock on!

Cornwall Heritage Trust supports school trips

Are you a primary school that is struggling with the rising cost of transport for class trips? If so, independent charity Cornwall Heritage Trust, in partnership with Cornish Lithium, offers a School Transport Grants Scheme which funds the costs of petrol and vehicle hire for visits to heritage sites in Cornwall.

Since 2014, Cornwall Heritage Trust’s School Transport Grants Scheme has funded 540 trips and helped nearly 22,500 Cornish children.

This academic year’s grants are in partnership with Cornish Lithium, which focuses on the environmentally-responsible extraction of lithium in Cornwall. Lithium is critical to the global goal of decarbonisation and the transition to a green economy.

To find out more about the School Transport Grants Scheme, visit https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/learn/transport-grants/

Blackbird Reads extra Christmas books

by Deborah Wright & new sustainable Playmobil

Through the North Pole Snow by Polly Faber, illustrated by Richard Jones published by Walker A gentle story, beautifully illustrated, of a lost little fox who is befriended by an old man – who of course turns out to be Father Christmas! For 3+

The Lights that Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer published by Oxford In the Arctic Circle the Northern Lights fill the skies with dazzling light. The Sami people and their reindeer dance and sing in the freezing winter snow. For 3+

The Big Christmas Bake by Fiona Barker, illustrated by Pippa Curnick published by Happy Yak Inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas, the characters from the song deliver the ingredients for a Twelfth Night cake. Zany and huge fun. For 4+

Curtain Up! Behind the Scenes at the Royal Opera illustrated by Lauren O’Hara published by Thames and Hudson For any child who loves ballet classes and maybe one who is lucky enough to see a performance of The Nutcracker this Christmas, this is a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of what really happens. With joyful illustrations, there’s lots of information about the props, costumes, scenery, orchestra and dancers. For 7+

As self-confessed Playmobil addicts, we were delighted to hear about Wiltopia, the first Playmobil to be made from an average of over 80% sustainable material (recycled & bio-based plastic). There are land and sea mammals, reptiles and birds from all over the world. The moose is particularly cool and there is even a Wiltopia advent calendar! For ages 4+

Lanterns and Lights at National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth

17 December to 1 January

This Christmas holiday enjoy magically lit boats, merry Make & Takes and a Museum Trail – Christmas at NMMC takes on the theme of Lanterns & Lights with a magical nautical twist.

Decked in festive lights and sparkly stars, traditional wooden boats carry Christmas cheer. Using the Flying Flotilla, hung high from the Museum’s ceiling, the boats are lit with subtle ocean-coloured hues and set amongst glistening star bursts.

Take & Make

Create light-inspired crafts, 12pm to 3.30pm.

Museum Trail

Since ancient times, navigators have used the stars to find their way. Can you find the twinkly constellations dotted around the Museum? Look out for rare nautical lamps and navigation aids which sailors used to guide them home.

It’s free!

All of the Lanterns & Lights activities are free as part of the admission price.

Pay once, get in free for a whole year.

Other lovely things to enjoy at the museum this winter:

Weekly storytelling and sing-a-long every Monday during term-time (not including Bank Holidays).

Minnows Tales starts at 11am in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is perfect for under 5s.

Explore 15 galleries, jump aboard boats, climb the 100-foot Lookout Tower, go underwater in the Tidal Zone, uncover ocean adventures & survival stories, and sail miniature boats on the Waterfront Boat Pool!

01326 313388 nmmc.co.uk

UK

Blackbird Reads

My Top Books for

2022

by Deborah Wright

No! Said Rabbit

by Marjoke Henrichs published by Scallywag Press

My grandson has hit the TerribleTwos and refuses to do anything he’s asked – just like Rabbit. Ludo joins in enthusiastically, and loudly, with every ‘No’ from Rabbit, so I know very well what a winner this book is. For 2+

Mouse’s Wood:

A Year in Nature

by William Snow, illustrated by Alice Melvin published by Thames and Hudson Follow Mouse as he walks through the wood every day, and the seasons change. There are flaps to lift, revealing the homes of the woodland creatures – reminiscent of Jill Barklam’s Brambly Hedge illustrations. A charming, rhythmic introduction to the calendar of the natural year. For 3+

Something

About a Bear

by Jackie Morris published by Otter-Barry

A very large, very beautiful book about the bears of the world, with Jackie Morris’s stunning illustrations filling every page. But which bear is the best of all? For 4+

Tis The Season To Be Jolly!

TRA LA LA LA LA…. cough cough sneeze

As the Norwegians say, there’s no such thing as bad weather…. Only bad clothing.

Simon Williams - Advanced Paramedic

Common cold

Symptoms can include:

This coming winter will be one of people talking about climate change. One thing that stays the same are seasonal minor illnesses like colds that catch us out from time to time. Most often they are plain inconvenient and just a little bit uncomfortable. The best medicine is often good rest, allowing yourself time to heal and copious fluids (non-alcoholic!).

• A congested or runny nose

• Painful sinuses

• Sweating and fever

• A hoarse voice

• A mild cough which may develop sputum

• A headache

• Feeling sick (nausea)

• Tiredness and fatigue

• Swollen glands in your neck

• Pain when you swallow

Common cold treatment (rest & patience is the best medicine!)

Stories of Peace and

Kindness for a Better World

by Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini published by Otter-Barry Seven folk tales from across the world, with exotic illustrations which use a collage of fabrics and tiles to evoke the different cultures – including a rare Uighur tale from China – all hoping for a better world. For 7+

The Boy who Lost his Spark by Maggie O’Farrell, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini published by Walker

When Jem moves to the country, he has no friends until his sister shows him a nouka. Little and fluffy, the strange creature changes his life. Colour illustrations on every page, but plenty of text too from a master storyteller. For 7+

Illumibugs

by Barbara Taylor, illustrated by Carnovsky published by Wide Eyed

Look through magic viewing lenses into the fascinating world of insects. Detailed drawings of every type of bug come to life in this amazing 3D book. For 8+

• Do nothing! - Not treating is an option as many common colds are mild and soon get better without treatment.

• Drink plenty! It is tempting to avoid drinking if it is painful to swallow. You may become mildly dehydrated if you don’t drink much, particularly if you also have a fever. Mild dehydration can make headaches and tiredness much worse.

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen ease pain, headache and fever. To keep symptoms to a minimum, take a dose at regular intervals, (don’t take more than the dose advised on the packet. Note: some people are not able to take ibuprofen, so always read the packet label).

• Lozenges, gargles, sprays and decongestants from pharmacies or supermarkets can be soothing for a sore throat and help ease a bunged-up nose. Sucking boiled sweets, ice and ice lollies can also help. Inhaling the decongestants or using a sinus wash is a very effective way of easing sinus pain.

• Use a tissue and wash your hands well to help prevent spread of your infection.

Antibiotics are not always useful and should not routinely be sought. Save them for when you REALLY need them.

If in doubt call 111. You can also get help or advice on www.111cornwall.nhs.uk

NHS Cornwall 111 - much more than a helpline

The Eden Project is pulling out all the stops to create a magical festive experience full of music and light this Christmas.

On selected dates between Friday 2 and Friday 30 December, the site will be open until 8pm and visitors will be treated to a beautiful display of twinkling lights.

The festive atmosphere weaves around the Outdoor Gardens with captivating light displays and the return of Eden’s Tunnel of Lights leading to the Biomes.

The Mediterranean Biome will set a joyous scene, bathed in an ethereal glow of lights, while live musicians will deliver a medley of orchestral music, filling every corner with seasonal favourites - with a modern twist.

Meanwhile the Rainforest Biome will unfold into a scene of magnificent light displays, gleaming beneath the canopy. Hundreds of suspended fiberoptic lights, glistening orbs, lasers and sparkling lights will transport visitors to an enchanted forest world.

Complete your Christmas visit to Eden with a trip to meet Father Christmas and his newest helper Elfie, and don’t forget to book a session on our glittering ice rink (additional charges apply for Father Christmas and the ice rink).

For residents of Devon and Cornwall, Eden’s Winter Locals’ Pass launched on 1 November, providing more than two-thirds off standard admission prices and granting access up to the end of March 2023.

The Eden Project Christmas experience will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 December, daily from 16 December right up until 23 December, and then from 27-30 December.

For more information and to pre-book tickets, ice skating and the Father Christmas experience, visit www.edenproject.com/Christmas