Blackbird Pie 2023 Summer

What’s

Adventures by Bus Pirates!

Dance, drama & music

Workshops & festivals

Museums & Galleries

Summer calendar 2023

Outdoor adventures

High adrenalin fun

Indoor and Outdoor Theatre Shows

Summer Reading Challenge

Lost & Found – themed books

Vouchers & offers: NMMC, page 3

Pendennis Castle, page 4

Paradise Park, page 5

Cornwall Heritage Trust, page 8

Jungle Jacks, page 9

Kernow Adventure Park, page 9

novelEnglish courses, page 10

Camel Creek, page 11

WofE Steam Rally, page 13

Via Ferrata, page 21

Movie Magic card, page 26

In this issue: Page(s):

4 & 5 What’s on? A brimming Pie-full!

6 & 7 Adventures by Bus – just leap aboard

8 to 13 More ‘What’s on’ across Cornwall, from magical educational courses on the Lizard to great-sounding summer drama workshops in Bude

12 & 13 Eden’s spectacular new Nature’s Playground. The Summer Reading Challenge at Cornwall’s wonderful libraries

14 Meet the Seal Sanctuary’s delightful grey seals – Ray and Aayla.

15 to 18

Pirates are taking over at NMMC!

Calendar of events for July, August & September 2023

20 to 23 Action adventures from trampolining, swimming, & multi-sports to high-wire adventures over quarries, and the latest craze – Surge paintball!

25 to 29 Indoor & outdoor theatre, circus camp, ballet, and story shows with interwoven signing

30 ‘Lost & Found’ themed book review

31 News from the Schools Immunisation team

Dear Readers,

We hope you have a wonderful summer, Vanessa, Simon and the Blackbird p.s. Pirates haven’t just taken over the NMMC…. They have taken over the editors’ letter too! Another beautifully designed winner from PLAYMOBIL: the Skull Pirate Ship is crewed by a cunning pirate captain, two pistol & sabre-wielding sailors, a monkey, a parrot and two rats. The cub reporter loves the swivelling cannons, working wheel & lift-off decks.

RRP £49.99 and it should last for years.

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 summer & early autumn

There are also specific features dotted throughout the magazine. Please mention BlackbirdPie when you are out and about.

Adventures by Bus This summer climb on board for an open-top bus adventure around some top destinations and attractions in Cornwall. Soak up the sights from the top deck as they wind their way around Land’s End, Sennen, St. Ives, Falmouth, Penzance, and many more fantastic locations! For details on routes see pages 6 & 7, Adventuresbybus.co.uk Twitter: @adventuresbybus Facebook: /Adventuresbybus

18 to 20 Aug: The West of England Steam Engine Rally, Stithians Showground, has SO much to see and do. The best way to take everything in is to take a trailer ride around the site, pulled by a full-size steam engine! Step back in time and get close to the wide range of full-size and miniature steam engines; discover vintage cars, military section, tractors, model and craft tent, heavy horses and more. There will be children’s entertainment, face painting and live music, and from 10am to 5pm: a wide variety of ring events and displays around the showground. Families £25 (2 adults, 3 children) adult £10, child £2.50, under 5 free, book online www.weses.co.uk Use code SCHOOL23 for 10% off early bird tickets.

Join Power in Performance (PIP) for brand-new summer drama workshops at Stratton Community Hall, Union Hill, Bude. Mondays 31 Jul, 7, 14 & 21 Aug, 10am to 4pm: start each week with a day of creativity and collaboration, hosted by fully DBS-checked, professional actors. PIP workshops use improvisation, play and acting techniques to boost young people’s confidence, build their resilience and give them a taste for the stage! Each day will focus on a different theme and children will make their own mini-devised plays throughout the day. Email pipbude@gmail.com to book. £35 per day. £30 per sibling.

Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance, 01736 363625. Free entry for children and for Penzance parish residents see www.penleehouse.org.uk/opening-times. Brilliant, FREE, and always different family activities every Saturday drop in 2.30 to 3.30pm. make a book for LitFest. Festival of Archaeology: make Bronze Age lunular necklaces, Roman silver coins, jigsaw puzzle pot. Rainbow collages, animal card sculpture, 3D landscapes with coloured slides, visit Cornwall posters, Birds of Paradise in a magical scene.

27 Jul to 31 Aug: Art in the Park, Thursdays 1.30 to 3.30pm, all free. Make

- 27 Jul: beautiful beads inspired by Iron Age glass beads. 3 Aug: animal masks inspired by animals in the Lamorna artists’ paintings. 10 Aug clay figures. 17 Aug: abstract patterns.

24 Aug: a mini rocking horse, cow or pig! 31 Aug: foraged leaves artwork (and Penlee Park leaf trail).

Newquay Zoo. Discover new and unusual species and learn more about the Zoo’s creatures via keeper talks and fun, free interactive activities. Enjoy animal talks and get up close to some of the wonders of the natural world. There are lots of outdoor play areas to let off steam. For best prices book online www.newquayzoo.org.uk and check out the mesmerising meerkat webcam.

Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith. www.trebahgarden.co.uk There’s glorious family fun to be had at Trebah this summer – whether you’re exploring giant canopies of colour in the garden, discovering the brand-new court garden, having fun in the outdoor play areas, or enjoying one of the fantastic Trebah amphitheatre performances - with puppetry, storytelling, and a fire-breathing Jabberwocky! The Squasbox shows are free with entry (free entry for Trebah members), but you’ll need to book a show ticket via www.trebahgarden.co.uk Trebah Kitchen and shop are excellent and the boathouse on the beach serves yummy icecream.

Bodmin Keep, Soldier into summer at Cornwall’s Army Museum; explore the new exhibition, ‘Dealing with Disaster’, with a range of hands-on and interactive activities including survival skills, temporary dens, dressing up, museum trails and handling sessions with weapons through the ages; activities to suit every member of the family. Annual pass: £9 adult, £5 child, under 5s free, family rates available. Some activities are charged in addition to entry, see www.bodminkeep.org.uk for details and to book.

Cornwall Cricket summer camps, Lanhydrock, Truro, St Stephens, Falmouth, ages 5 to 8, and 8 to 11s, see advert page 17 & cornwallcricket.co.uk/junior-cricket

Cornwall Sailing Trust - Watersports at Helford River & Trevassack Lake, Helston, multi-activity sessions, family fun, & learn to sail 01326 702326 www.childrenssailingtrust.org.uk

Paradise Park, Hayle, is celebrating its 50th birthday with a Summer of Fun and The Parrots of Paradise Quiz. The Park is a beautiful, friendly place, home to over 1200 birds, including stunning parrots, penguins, eagles and owls; plus adorable Red Pandas, tiny harvest mice, cute otters, and a fun farm with mini donkeys, pygmy goats, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs! Fantastic daily events with amazing flying displays and the Lorikeet feeding experience (all events are weather permitting).

Don’t forget to visit the huge indoor JungleBarn Play Centre. Save £2pp off entry using code BLACKBIRD when booking online paradisepark.org

The Box, Plymouth’s award-winning museum & art gallery (free admission). 25 Jul to 31 Aug: celebrating light and colour whatever the weather! There will be FREE family activities each Tue, Wed and Thu throughout the school holidays, inspired by the ‘Reframing Reynolds’ and ‘Dappled Light’ exhibitions with children’s yoga and mindfulness sessions, science activities, making and using paints from natural materials, and colourful printing with gelli plates; 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm. www.theboxplymouth.com

Keeper Archie with Jerry, the lovely new African Grey Parrot.

Take the Tin Coaster to discover Cornwall’s once-extensive mineral industry and the important part it played in the prosperity of this part of the country. At Geevor you can go underground to go back in time and learn about the people that worked these mines.

Hop on the Sunseeker to Paradise Park to discover 130 species of birds, incuding macaws and toucans, plus beautiful red pandas, cute otters and characterful Humboldt’s penguins.

What’s not to like about a thrilling ride on an open top bus through beautiful Cornish scenery to some amazing destinations with plenty to do and see when you get there. Have a great adventure by bus . . .

adventuresbybus.co.uk

Stand on the edge of England and stare out towards America, watch a performance at the open-air Minack Theatre or walk over the water to St Michael’s Mount. There’s eye-popping scenery wherever you look on this great open-top adventure.

At Newquay Zoo you can discover hundreds of the world’s most amazing animals, all living among impressively beautiful gardens.

Or get up close and personal to a vast array of marine life at the Blue Reef Aquarium.

Galleries, a workshop, interactive exhibits and an exploration of monsters that lurk beneath the waves, make the National Maritime Museum a must-see on this open-top tour of Falmouth. Built in the 16th century to defend the country against invasion, Pendennis Castle is fun to explore.

Some of its impressive guns can be seen and very much heard in action on firing days.

What's on - continued from page 7

Slip and Slide, Killiow, between Truro & Falmouth. 1 Jul to 4 Sep: get ready for 120 metres of wet and wild fun, a truly bodacious watery adventure at one or both of the giant slip-and-slides. Brace yourself for an adrenalin-pumping adventure on this absolute beast of a slide, a splash-tastic experience with single and double rings. 10am to 7pm, daily. Age 4+. Free parking. Secure your spot at www.megaslipandslide.com

novelEnglish is a wonderfully different, educational enterprise in the heart of the Lizard running multi-day residential courses for children (non-residential options too). Early-bird discounts - see page 10. This summer, choose from a host of magical courses: 27-28 July escape into adventure with Five on a Treasure Island; 31 Jul-4 Aug return to Wonderland with Alice in Through the Looking Glass; 7-9 Aug brave the ‘most perfect school’ in The Demon Headmaster; 10-11 Aug join Matilda and Darrell Rivers in Malory Towers; 14-17 Aug investigate with Sherlock Holmes on The Hound of the Baskervilles; 21-24 Aug elope to the moors in Wuthering Heights; or 28-31 Aug be magicked away to lands unknown on the Fantasy Worldbuilding course! To book or find out more, email enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk www.novelenglish.co.uk

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, www.heligan.com under 5s go free, (Heligan Local’s Pass - pay once get in free for a year.) 8 Jul to 10 Sept: Superworm’s Summer Adventure, a super adventure is in store at The Lost Garden of Heligan this summer with a brand-new trail inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s renowned picture book, Superworm. The exclusive adventure trail (created with brand owners, Magic Light Pictures), will follow the wiggly, underground superhero’s journey through a section of Heligan’s 200-acre working estate, taking in extraordinary meadows and woodland walks to showcase the superpowers of soil, and the minibeasts and mega-beings who live in the soil.

Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro. 11 Jul to 23 Sep: Wonderful new exhibition & themed family activities - Adrift: Lego Lost at Sea. In 1997, a rogue wave knocked 62 containers from a cargo ship off Cornwall. Five million pieces of lego were set adrift, washing up on beaches across the southwest. This is the story of what was lost and what was learned about the ocean, its currents and pollution. Plastic Soup: free, daily, family activities, age 3+, 10am to 3pm, different creative and STEM activities including plastic printing, sieving for nurdles, discover what floats, create a jellyfish mobile and beachcomber bingo!

Pick up a passport and collect a stamp each week from the museum. Heartlands, Pool. 26 to 28 Aug: gear up for an unforgettable geek-themed festival! Immerse yourself in a world of wonder with cosplay competitions, Mechanical Dragons, e-sports, live action roleplay, lightsabre training, and more. Treat your taste buds to delicious bubble tea. Experience thrilling action with safe and exhilarating lasertag and airsoft. Enjoy live music and delve into epic quests with tabletop games. Find unique merchandise at traders. Immerse yourself in live action roleplay, become the hero of your own story, and learn the ways of the Force at lightsabre training. Bring your family and let your inner geek shine! GeekfestCornwall.co.uk Wheal Play at Heartlands. 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. Their range of parties include soft play, bouncy castles, disco & archery. E: whealplay@heartlandscornwall.com

Cornwall Heritage Trust cares for 13 fascinating historic Cornish places, which are free to visit for everyone. From Caer Bran hillfort in the far West to Dupath Well in the East, there’s plenty to enjoy on a family day out. If you join, membership is from just £20 a year, the benefits include* free entry to English Heritage’s Cornish sites, free entry to Geevor Tin Mine Museum, discounted entry to Heritage Partner sites, a fun-filled children’s activity book and more. Quote ‘BlackBirdPie’ at the checkout and you’ll receive free Cornish fudge with your membership pack! Cornwall Heritage Trust’s members are the reason it can continue to protect these special places, and members receive a wealth of benefits as a thank you for their support. *Ts & Cs apply. Details on www.cornwallheritagetrust.org

Cornwall Circus & performing arts camp 2023, Chyan Cultural Centre, near Penryn. 24 to 28 Aug: run away to the circus for a camping holiday with a difference! Big Top, top tutors, focused training with Swamp Circus and great vegetarian food, www.circokernow.co.uk 07775 857677 office@swampcircus.co.uk

Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport Park, Plymouth. 16 Sept: Wild Tribe Children’s Festival brings art, science and the environment together in the form of entertainment, workshops and activities; 11am to 4pm. Family Ceilidh barn dance, forest school activities, interactive science fun and games, wild make-overs, storytelling, environmental arty activities, Viking shield wall, walk-about entertainment, & circus skills. Early Bird tickets £10. Most activities are undercover. Age 4+. stiltskin.org.uk 07449 724261

Mark’s Ark Wildlife Encounters. A brilliant opportunity for children to come close up 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! 07761 810900, email: markwiles3@aol.com Available for parties, fetes and events.

Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, has an action-packed summer planned at one of Henry VIII’s finest seaside castles. Legendary Joust, where fearless fighters on magnificent horses charge at each other at full speed (1 to 3 Aug). Don’t miss the return of the popular Knights’ Tournament – an epic medieval contest of strength and skill (8 to 10 & 22 to 24 Aug). And young marauders will love Pirates at Pendennis Castle, a spectacular adventure on the high seas (15 to 17 Aug). Unforgettable days out at Falmouth’s fortress - book online and save 10% english-heritage.org.uk/Pendennis

>>>> What's on this summer... - continued from page 9

Kresen Kernow, Redruth. Fun, creative activities this summer, and learn about some amazing women of Cornwall in the exhibitions. Follow the sensory trail, enjoy reading in the library and eat yummy cake in the café! The full details online: Events – Kresen Kernow

Tiny Toes Ballet is fully integrated with the EYFS curriculum promoting ‘learning through dance’. They offer free taster classes for wobbly walkers to 7-year-old children, so do try an award-winning children’s ballet class which includes fun, learning, storytime and so much dancing! Classes across Cornwall and Devon - to find your closest venue visit www.tinytoesballet.co.uk & enter your postcode.

Bude-Stratton summer events: 16 Jul: Heritage Festival 11am to 4pm, the free event celebrates both Bude’s famous Victorian inventor, Sir Goldsworthy Gurney and the wide, varied heritage of Bude and Stratton and its many community groups. Wednesdays 26 Jul, 9 & 23 Aug: free family entertainment, 11am to 4pm, circus skills with Flotsam the Fool, face painting and DJ Andy King; bring a picnic and relax. www.thecastlebude.co.uk/events

Helston Railway, Trevarno Farm, Prospidnick is like a trip back in time. Buy your tickets from the charming old ticket office in a train carriage, then catch a vintage train to Truthall Halt, along the restored railway line. Normal running days Jul & Aug: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, & Sep: Thursdays and Sundays.

Special events - 16 Jul: Railway Dog Fun Day 23 & 24, 27 & 28 Aug: Pirate Days, 9 & 10 Sep: Heritage Transport Weekend www.helstonrailway.co.uk

Kernow Adventure Park, nestled just 10 minutes outside Falmouth, is a hidden gem - in a flooded quarry on a sprawling 21-acre site is an amazing outdoor water activity centre, a sanctuary for nature and wildlife. With four exciting activities on offer, there’s something for everyone. Amp up your adrenalin by bouncing and laughing your way through the aquapark (for age 6+), embark on a leisurely paddleboard across the crystal-clear lake, swim in open water lanes, or, navigate through buoys and obstacles to read the fact-packed information boards on an E-boat adventure (for age 2+). The Aquapark experience costs £20 per person, inclusive of a shorty wetsuit rental and buoyancy aid. get 10% discount with the QR code on page 9. 07817 662962 www.kernowadventurepark.com/

Endelienta Arts, St Endellion, Port Isaac. Monthly Make Club, a fun space to explore, create and get messy, led by inspirational artists, from 10am to 12pm, parents can join in too, £5 per family, must book tickets@endelienta.org.uk. 8 Jul: Delabole Methodist Hall, create watery paintings. www.endelienta.org.uk

15 Aug: St Endellion Hall, wet felt picture making.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust, have lots to interest families including Cornwall Beaver Project guided walks, Wildlife Watch events, Open Gardens events and rockpool ramble sessions, details on www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

Camel Creek - a great day out for all the family!

Camel Creek have a summer full of favourite character visits, all included with admission to the park. Character visits are at intervals throughout the day, and Storytimes are led by a narrator.

1 & 2 Aug: Storytime with Peppa Pig and George.

8 & 9 Aug: meet Madagascar’s Alex & Skipper.

15 & 16 Aug: Meet Titan the Robot!

22 & 23 Aug: Meet Bluey.

29 & 30 Aug: Storytime with Paw Patrol’s Chase and Skye. Cheeky characters Creeky, Swampy & Dina will also be taking the stage throughout summer and are bound to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Save £3 per person!

Book online www.camelcreek.co.uk using code

BBPIE23

Camel Creek Family Theme Park is set amongst the Cornish countryside just off the A30 between Wadebridge and Padstow and is at the heart of a fantastic family fun day out. There are thrilling theme park rides for all the family to enjoy, whether it be our large wet and wild water rides to gentler rides such as Dizzy Dina and Kiddies Carousel. We love the rollercoasters! The Park is home to over 90 species of animals from chinchillas to crocodiles, to ferrets to frogs. There is adventure around every corner.

Enjoy the sunshine and get back to nature with a wildlife walk or run riot through the outdoor play areas and if it’s raining, there is a large indoor soft play. There are a variety of tasty food stops and an Aladdin’s cave of a gift shop, bursting with toys, treats and TY teddies.

Summer Reading Challenge 2023

Ready, Set, Read

Ready, Set, Read! This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is all about games and sports. Children will join a team of colourful characters (and their animal mascots!) as they use their skills to weave their way through a summer obstacle course.

Developed in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust, the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge will celebrate play and participation, encouraging children to engage in games and sports in any way that best suits them. Ready, Set, Read! will showcase how reading can be active and engaged, and can itself involve teamwork and community.

About the Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest, free, reading for pleasure programme for children. Taking place annually, the challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to keep reading during the summer holidays.

Children are challenged to read at least six books, gaining stickers and prizes along the way. When they beat the challenge and have read all of their books, they receive a medal and a certificate to celebrate their achievement.

This year’s challenge starts on 8 July and runs throughout the summer, finishing on 16 September. Libraries have many exciting, fun and free events happening throughout the challenge… check out what’s going on at your local library by visiting

Your local library - Cornwall Council, taking a look at social media for your local library, or popping in to have a chat with the friendly library team.

Don’t miss a Summer of Play at the Eden Project

This summer, explore Eden to connect with family and friends in fun, hands-on activities – from outdoor games and storytelling, to den building and a board game compendium! At the centre will be Eden’s new adventure playground area, Nature’s Playground, set to be one of the biggest outdoor play areas in the South West. Nature’s Playground* will feature slides, a swing, water play and more – as well as the majestic nine-metre-tall Tree of Life tower, which will be seen right across the Outdoor Gardens at Eden. The new play area, opening on 8 July, will take centre stage in their Summer of Play programme (22 July – 3 September).

Elsewhere on site, Eden’s Stage and Arena will be transformed into a colourful, lively den village, with a range of materials to choose from, to take on the challenge of building your very own den. Nearby, the Orchard will have a selection of family-friendly games and playful challenges to test your skills – including hoopla, giant Jenga and four in a row. Please note that Den Building and Outdoor Games activities will take place from 29 July to 3 September.

Don’t miss out! Get the best value tickets by booking online: edenproject.com/summer-of-play

*Entry to Nature’s Playground is included in Eden admission, but to manage capacity, free pre-booking to the Playground is required for children (aged 16 and under). Adults do not need to pre-book entry to the Playground, but all children must be accompanied by an adult (maximum of two adults per child/maximum of three children per supervising adult).

Artist’s Impression

The Pirates are taking over at National Maritime Museum Cornwall!

Jam-packed with pirate fun, this summer will be the best yet!

Dashing, daring and adventurous or bloodthirsty, immoral and greedy – were pirates of the 18th century heroes of the age or no more than callous cut-throats? Explore the major new exhibition Pirates and find out how popular culture has shaped how we think of pirates today. Dotted around the exhibition are treasure chests waiting to be discovered and opened… inside find and handle pirate treasure, weapons and pests found aboard ship! Some chests have authentic smells too, providing glimpses into real pirate life.

Meet the Summer Superstars at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary!

This summer, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is celebrating its wonderful residents – from seals to penguins, sea lion to beavers, these animals are the beating heart of the charity’s vital conservation work. There for a number of reasons, including life-long illnesses that need to be managed daily, each resident has their own story about how they ended up finding a place with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Today, the animal care team works tirelessly to ensure these animals remain happy and healthy. Now they can also help tell the story of the work happening behind the scenes. So, this summer, meet some of those special characters and discover more about the vital marine conservation work happening on our doorstep!

Meet Ray

Ray came to the Sanctuary at around three-weeks-old in 2001, completely malnourished and thought to have suffered a head injury which may be why he behaves very differently to other seals now. He’s also totally blind! Today, Ray is friendly and playful, and even has his own Facebook page.

Meet Aayla

Then make pirate costumes, cutlasses, hats, beards, parrots and telescopes in Make & Take, join the Museum trail to find stolen pirate supplies, and have fun in the new Skull Island Play Zone…yo-ho-ho!

A Pirate’s Life For Me! Illyria’s brand-new interactive theatre show explores the lives – and possibly deaths – of the most notorious pirates in the Caribbean. Every performance will turn out differently. Who votes which callous cut-throat is Captain? You! Who decides whether to accept the King’s Pardon, or carry on looting for riches? You! Who spins the Wheel of Fortune to find out if the ship you’re attacking is carrying gold or turnips? YOU! Come again and again and never see the same show twice – from 24 July to 3 September.

All Pirates activities are FREE as part of the Museum’s annual admission fee. Pay once and get in free for a year.

You can also explore 15 galleries over five floors, jump aboard boats, climb the 100-foot Lookout Tower, go underwater in the Tidal Zone, uncover ocean adventures and survival stories, and sail miniature boats on the Boat Pool. nmmc.co.uk

Aayla was rescued in Norfolk in January 2017, malnourished and with an injury to her right flipper. The injury led to a small amputation to prevent infection and she still receives care for this at her now-permanent home at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.

Did you know you can help?

By visiting animals like Ray and Aayla at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, you can help the charity provide a forever-home for marine animals in need for years to come, and support their successful rescue, rehabilitation and release programme for wild grey seal pups through the winter months.

Find out more at www.sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org

01326 221361

Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek nr Helston, TR12 6UG

Look who’s over there?

Tel: 07761 810900

www.marks-ark.co.uk

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

Fridays Storytelling, The Box, Plymouth, every Friday 10.30am, free admission

Saturdays Arty Afternoons, Penlee House, Penzance, 2.30 to 3.30pm, free entry & activities; make books, Bronze Age lunular necklaces, Roman silver coins, jigsaw puzzle pots, rainbow collages, animal sculptures, 3D landscapes, Cornwall posters, Birds of Paradise.

1 Jul

From 1 Jul…

Children’s Day, Truro City Centre, fabulous high-octane, free activities, stalls, street entertainment, in-store activities & offers

Splash Test Dummies, Trebah, Mawnan Smith, side-splitting, slapstick comedy & catch-your-breath stunts www.minack.com 01736 810181

Gel Blaster Surge Paintball, Raze the Roof, the latest craze of Kids’ Gel paintball (age 7+) is hitting Penryn!

See page 23

1 Jul to 4 Sep Mega Slip & Slide, Playing Place nr Truro, adrenalin-pumping adventure, absolute beast of a slide, 120 metres, 10am to 7pm, daily. Age 4+. Free parking. www.megaslipandslide.com

2 Jul CHT Open Gardens: Trereife, near Penzance, Grade II listed gardens, tours & trail, u12s free, online £6 / £7.50 on door.

5 to 8 Jul Demon Dentist, Theatre Royal Plymouth, hilarious and thrilling! 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

5, 6, & 14 Jul, 1 Aug

Tree, Cscape’s joyful dance theatre adventure, 5 Jul: St Ives library 01736 796297 stives.ticketsolve.com

6 Jul: Cardinham Woods, intobodmin.co.uk 01208 811185. 14 Jul: Princess Pavilion Falmouth.

1 Aug: Launceston Library Launceston.Library@liscornwall.org.uk

8 Jul Grand Opening: Nature’s Playground, Eden’s new adventure playground area with slides, a swing, water play, & a majestic nine-metre-tall Tree of Life tower, see page 13.

The Kids’ Show Shelf, The Cornish Bank, Falmouth, 1pm, kids’ comedy show, £5, under 3s free, family discount £15 for 4 tickets. www.falmouthcringe.com

8 & 9 Jul Food Jam, Enys, Mylor, graze a trail of world foods in lovely gardens, talks, activities, demos, live music, foraging walks, 10am to 6pm, www.enysgardens.org.uk 01326 377621

8, 15, 22 & 29 Jul King Arthur FREE family workshops, Falmouth Art Gallery, free entry & activities, Sats 10am to 1pm. 8th chainmail making, 15th castle collages, 22nd design wallpaper, 29th Arthurian costumes for your toys. 01326 313863

8 Jul & 15 Aug Endelienta Arts workshops, Delabole Methodist Hall, 10am to 12pm, £5 per family, 8 Jul: create watery paintings; 15 Aug: St Endellion Hall, wet felt picture making, book tickets@endelienta.org.uk

8 Jul to 10 Sep

Superworm’s Summer Adventure, Lost Gardens of Heligan, brand-new trail inspired by the renowned picture book, Superworm, under 5s free, Local’s Pass - pay once get in free for a year www.heligan.com

8 Jul to 16 Sep Summer Reading Challenge, at a library near you! Games & sports theme, see page 12

9 Jul Launch of the Sensory Trail, King George V Memorial, Hayle, free event & Hayle Heritage Centre / Sensory Trust trail packs; listen to a story, make rope, explore the town with your pack. Hayleheritagecentre.org.uk 01736 757683

9 to 15 Jul Lafrowda Festival, St Just, Roll up! Roll up! is the theme for community parades, music & dance performances, buggy racing, Sat 15 Jul: Lafrowda Day, www.lafrowda.co.uk

11 Jul

11 Jul & in Sep

Science Adventures: Deep Sea, Sterts Theatre, Upton Cross, Coppice Theatre’s fantastical show with puppets, fun science, animation & storytelling, age 5+, 6pm, 01579 362382 www.sterts.co.uk

After-school story & art clubs, The Writers’ Block, The Ladder, 2-4 Clinton Road, Redruth. donations up to £3, booking essential, see thewritersblock.org.uk/events/ for 7-11 yrs, 4 to 5pm, and more in Sept.

23 Sep Adrift: Lego Lost at Sea, Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro, wonderful new exhibition & themed ‘Plastic Soup’ free family activities, age 3+, 10am to 3pm, plastic printing, sieving for nurdles, discover what floats, jellyfish mobiles & beachcomber bingo!

11 Jul to

13 to 16 Jul

Hey Duggee, The Live Theatre Show! Hall for Cornwall, Truro, hit CBeebies bursting with music, puppets, & of course, squirrels! 01872 262466

14 & 15 Dragons & Mythical Beasts, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

15 Jul

15 & 16 Jul

15 & 22 Jul

16 Jul

16, 18, 20, 25 & 26 Jul

Helifest Cornwall Air Ambulance blue light festival, Padstow, 11am to 8pm, exciting emergency services demos, circus workshops, live shows, inflatables, rides & wipeout, £8/ £5 child, under 3 free, families (2:3child) £20, book 01637 838949 mention BBP

Sticker Rally, AFC, St Austell, vintage vehicles, stands, fun dog show & family entertainment, 10am to 4pm, £6/£4 child, www.stickerrally.com

Theatre at Cardinham Woods, 15 Jul 4pm: Bash Street Theatre’s The Battling Butlers. 22 Jul 4pm: Squashbox’s Tales from the Trees intobodmin.co.uk/ 01208 811185

Heritage Festival, Bude castle, 11am to 4pm, free event, celebrating Victorian inventor, Sir Goldsworthy Gurney and the wide, varied heritage of Bude and Stratton www.thecastlebude.co.uk/events Railway Dog Fun Day, Helston Railway, Prospidnick, www.helstonrailway.co.uk

Penlee Open Air Theatre, Penzance, 16 Jul: The Grimm Sisters. 18 Jul: Peter Rabbit, 20 Jul: Alice in Wonderland; 25 Jul: A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Musical. 26 Jul: Robin Hood. 07816 285367 boxoffice@penleeparktheatre.com

16 Jul to 3 Sep National Trust Summer of Play, dates and activities vary for each property, many have obstacle courses, den building, summer sports, dressing up, lawn games, crafts, archery, giant Jenga, trails. Event details on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall. All free with entry, please mention BlackbirdPie. 16 Jul to 31 Aug: Antony. 22 Jul to 3 Sep: Lanhydrock, Godolphin, Cotehele. 23 Jul to 1 Sep: Trerice. 24 Jul to 3 Sep: Trengwainton. 26 Jul to 3 Sep: Trelissick.

18 to 22 Jul Daisy Pulls It Off, Theatre Royal Plymouth, absolutely ripping parody of life in a 1920s English girls’ boarding school! 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

9 July: Hayle Sensory Trail launch Join Hayle Heritage Centre & The Sensory Trust at King George V Memorial walk for the launch of the free sensory trail packs, listen to a story, make some rope, take a pack and explore the town.

9, 23 & 30 Aug: FREE creative summer craft sessions from 1.30 to 3.30pm

facebook

@hayleheritagecentre

John Harvey House, 24 Foundry Square, Hayle Hayleheritagecentre.org.uk

NEW

Gel Blasters -

Indoor Play - Parties - VR - Laser Tag

see page 19

razetheroof.co.uk

Penryn

20 Jul Peter Rabbit, Newquay Orchard, 5pm Quantum Theatre’s enchanting adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s tale, newquayorchard.co.uk/events 01637 877182

21 to 23 Jul Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Kernewek Community Theatre, Town Wall, Bodmin, magical musical full of catchy songs, 7.30pm & Sat 2.30pm www.crbo.co.uk 01726 63513

21 to 29 Jul Shrek the Musical, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

22 Jul to 5 Aug Tamara, the Spellbound Wood, Soapbox Theatre, Devonport Park, Plymouth, a spellbinding tale of giants and earth nymphs, stiltskin.org.uk 07449 724261

22 Jul to 3 Sep Summer of Play, Eden Project, outdoor games, storytelling, den building, board game compendium & the magnificent new adventure playground area, Nature’s Playground! See page 13

23 Jul Country & Classics, Trewithen Gardens, Probus, Marie Curie fundraiser, classic cars, children’s activities, fun dog show, bands & singers, open gardens, £5, under 16s free, 11am to 4pm, 01872 260500 www.countryandclassics.org.uk/

23 Jul to 1 Sep Outdoor crafts, jousting, archery & Tudor costume days, NT Trerice, nr Newquay, Sundays: Trerice Knight School learn to gallop & joust. Thursdays: Family-friendly archery. Mondays 31 Jul to 28 Aug: get dressed up in Tudor-inspired costumes, all free with entry, please mention BlackbirdPie. 01637 875404

24 Jul to 1 Sep Time2Move Holiday Programme, sessions include water sports, dance, multi-sports, yoga, circus skills, BMX-ing and more; funded places available, see page 22, book on www.activecornwall.org/ T2MHolidayProgramme

24 Jul to 2 Sep Fabulous, free activity packs & grand prize draw, from Truro Community Library or Visit Truro Visitor Centre, includes Denzel the Hedgehog Town Trail, colouring-in, word search, and more, www.visittruro.org.uk

24 Jul to 3 Sep A Pirate’s Life for Me! Illyria’s brand-new interactive theatre show, NMMC, Falmouth. Plus, Pirates exhibition, Make & Take (pirate costumes, cutlasses, hats, beards, parrots & telescopes), Museum trail & new Skull Island Play Zone…yo-ho-ho! Details page 14. All FREE with admission fee (Pay once and get in free for a year) nmmc.co.uk

25 Jul Robin Hood, Pentillie Castle grounds, St. Mellion, Saltash, Illyria production, www.pentillie.co.uk

25, 27, 31 Jul

25 Jul to 31 Aug

26 Jul, 9 & 23 Aug

27 July & 12 Aug

27 to 28, 31 Aug to

4 Sep

27 Jul to 31 Aug

Normal running days:

July & August: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays

September: Thursdays & Sundays.

Special events

16 July: Railway Dog Fun Day

23 & 24, 27 & 28 August:

Pirate Days

9 & 10 September:

Heritage Transport Weekend

28 & 29 Jul

29 Jul & 2 Sep

29 & 30 Jul

30 Jul

31 Jul

01579 350 044

NCA theatre shows, 25 Jul 6.30pm: Peter Pan, Norton Barton Artisan Food Village. 27 July 6.30pm: Robin Hood, Ebbingford Manor. 31 Jul 5pm: Bad Dad, Bude Castle Lawn www.northcoastarts.co.uk/ events

Family Fun: A Splash of Colour, The Box, Plymouth, free entry & activities every Tues, Wed and Thurs, children’s yoga & mindfulness, science, making paints from natural materials, printing with gelli plates; 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm. www.theboxplymouth.com

Free family entertainment, Bude castle lawn, Wednesdays, 11am to 4pm, circus skills, face painting & DJ; bring a picnic www.thecastlebude.co.uk/events

Become a Deer Ranger! Deer Safari with ranger Ian Berry, tractor trailer ride around Boconnoc Park, 10am to 12noon or 1 to 3pm, learn about deer ranger tasks from poo detecting to protecting habitats, for accompanied under 13s, adult £15 / 6-15yr £7.50/ under 5s free, must book www.boconnoc.com/whats-on

Amazing book-themed adventures, novelEnglish, the Lizard, residential / non-residential courses: 27-28 Jul escape into adventure with Five on a Treasure Island; 31 Jul-4 Aug return to Wonderland with Alice; to book email enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk For early-bird discounts – see page 10

Art in the Park, Penzance, Penlee House creative events, Thursdays 1.30 to 3.30pm, all free. 27 Jul beautiful ‘Iron Age’ beads. 3 Aug animal masks. 10 Aug clay figures. 17 Aug abstract patterns. 24 Aug a mini rocking horse, cow, or pig! 31 Aug leaf trail & leaves artwork 01736 363625

Youth Celebration Showcase Spectacular, Hall for Cornwall, Truro, dance, music, and theatre, see page 27, hallforcornwall.co.uk

Cornish Makers, Tre, Pol & Pen, Lezant, arts & crafts, 10am - 4pm, free entry trepolandpen.co.uk

Saltash Regatta, gig racing, street entertainment, stalls, children’s rides www.saltashregatta.co.uk

Parklive, Kimberley Park, Falmouth, free, family-friendly, music & performance event showcasing local creative talent, Source FM parklive.rocks

National Marine Week: Crabbing Competition, Looe Heritage Centre, learn with marine biologists, bring crabbing lines & a bucket, 2.30 to 4pm, free but donations welcome, www.looemarineconservation.org

31 Jul to 5 Aug Looe carnival, Furry dance, mini fun run, sand-modelling comp, music, dance, grand procession, looelions.co.uk

31 Jul, 7, 14 & 21 Aug

31 Jul to 23 Aug

31 Jul to 25 Aug

31 Jul to 31 Aug

Power in Performance PIP summer drama workshops, Stratton Community Hall, Bude, Mondays, improvisation, play and acting techniques, make mini plays, all with professional actors, different daily themes, 10am to 4pm; £35 per day, £30 per sibling. Email pipbude@gmail.com

Cornwall Cricket summer camps, Lanhydrock, Truro, St Stephens, Falmouth, ages 5 to 8, and 8 to 11s, see advert page 17 & cornwallcricket.co.uk/junior-cricket

Truro’s Great Little Kids Club, Victoria Gardens Bandstand, every Monday to Friday, 2 to 3pm, different daily activities, with Countryside Rangers Team, Truro Library Stories & Craft, RCM, Jules the Ventriloquist, HfC dance workshops. www.visittruro.org.uk

Krafty Kids, Museum of Cornish Life, Helston, Mondays 1 to 3pm & Thursdays 10am to 12noon, FREE, themed, craft activities for families (age 3+) www.museumofcornishlife.co.uk

1 Aug Tree, Launceston Library, Cscape’s joyful dance theatre adventure, 10.30 am, 11.30am and 1.30pm: Launceston.Library@liscornwall.org.uk

1 & 2 Aug Storytime with Peppa Pig and George, Camel Creek, see page 11, save £3pp with online code BBPIE23 www.camelcreek.co.uk

1 to 3 Aug Legendary Joust, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, fearless fighters on magnificent horses charge at each other at full speed, book online save 10% english-heritage.org.uk/Pendennis

Creative fun at Kresen Kernow

Join us for fun, creative activities this summer, and learn about some amazing women of Cornwall in our exhibitions. Follow our sensory trail, enjoy reading in our library and eat cake in our café!

See our full programme online: Events – Kresen Kernow

1 to 5 Aug Alice in Wonderland, Theatre Royal Plymouth, funked-up remix of Lewis Carroll’s classic with a tech-savvy teen Alice, for all the family, 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

School of Rock, Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Young Generation production of the hit movie with new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, 7.30pm, www.crbo.co.uk 01726 63513

1, 15, 29 Aug

Sterts Theatre shows, Upton Cross, 1 Aug 2pm Squashbox’s Stones and Bones, puppets, songs, tall tales age 5+. 15 Aug 2 & 7pm Light Work - Many Hands, jaw-dropping circus show. 29 Aug 2pm The Sea Show, 01579 362382 www.sterts.co.uk

1 to 31 Aug Annie Jr, Kidz R Us, St Ives, Tony Award-winning Best Musical based on the popular comic strip, kidzrus.net 01736 797007

1 Aug to 3 Sep

Soldier into summer, Bodmin Keep, Dealing with Disaster exhibition, hands-on activities including survival skills, temporary dens, dressing up, museum trails & handling weapons sessions; book www.bodminkeep.org.uk

2 Aug Falconry experience, Tre, Pol & Pen, Lezant, range of birds, entertaining commentary, & displays, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, £9.95 + booking fee. trepolandpen.co.uk

2…23 Aug Penlee Open Air Theatre, Penzance, 2 Aug: The Wind in the Willows. 4 Aug: The Ugly Duckling. 6 Aug: Pandora’s Box. 9 Aug: Dr Dolittle. 11 Aug: The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense. 14 Aug: Many Hands Circus’ Light Work. 15 Aug: Hercules. 23 Aug: The Invisible Monkey (see page 25), 07816 285367 boxoffice@penleeparktheatre.com

3 Aug The Wind in the Willows, Quantum Theatre at Nat Trust Trelissick, 3.30 pm, mention BBP, 020 83179000

3 & 31 Aug Sing Along the River, Lostwithiel Parade Gardens, by Fowey River, family-friendly event, 4pm, singers from all Cornwall, sing along, delicious food to buy (pizza, nachos, burritos, big pan paella) FREE (donations welcome), 07803 176 416 www.reallylovelyprojects.org.uk/#/singalongtheriver2023/

4 Aug National Marine Week: Rockpool Ramble, Hannafore Beach, Looe, 2 to 3pm, find amazing critters with experts, free but donations welcome, www.looemarineconservation.org

5 & 11 Aug Theatre on the Terraces, Newquay Orchard, 5 Aug 6.30pm: Pandora’s Box, riotous and ridiculous retelling by The Last Baguette, comedy, un-Apollo-getically bad puns and lo-fi special effects. 11 Aug 3.30pm Tethered Wits’ production of Dr Dolittle newquayorchard.co.uk/events 01637 877182

5 to 11 Aug FREE art activities for Falmouth Week, Falmouth Art Gallery, 5th 3 to 5pm make shiny helmets for the parade; 7 to 11th at 10am to 1pm - printed patterns; coat of arms; clay magic charms. flower headdresses; knight brass rubbings. 01326 313863

5, 12, 19, 26 Aug Fun on the Folly, Bodmin, Saturdays in Aug, street performance, family theatre & entertainment, intobodmin.co.uk/

7 to 9, 10 to 11, 14 to 17 Aug

Amazing book-themed adventures, novelEnglish, the Lizard, amazing book-themed adventures, residential / non-residential courses: 7-9 Aug brave the ‘most perfect school’ in The Demon Headmaster; 10-11 Aug Malory Towers; 14-17 Aug investigate with Sherlock on The Hound of the Baskervilles; To book email enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk For early-bird discounts – see page 10

8 & 9 Aug Meet Madagascar’s Alex & Skipper, Camel Creek, see page 11, save £3pp with online code BBPIE23 www.camelcreek.co.uk

8 to 10 & 22 to 24 Aug

Knights’ Tournament, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, epic medieval contest of strength and skill, book online save 10%english-heritage.org.uk/Pendennis

9, 23 & 30 Aug Free craft sessions, Hayle Heritage Centre, 1.30 to 3.30pm, & new, free, sensory trail. 01736 757683 Hayleheritagecentre.org.uk

9, 15, 16 & 31 Aug

9 to 31 Aug

10, 18, 25 & 31 Aug

12 Aug

NCA theatre shows, Pandora’s Box, 9 Aug 6.30pm, Ebbingford Manor. The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense -

15 Aug 5pm: Rectory Farm Tearooms, Morwenstow & 16 Aug 5pm: Crackington Institute. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 31 Aug 6.30pm: Ebbingford Manor, www.northcoastarts.co.uk/ events

Making Pottery, Leach Pottery, Potter’s Corner, daily clay play Jul: make & use pottery tools, Aug: stamped textures, Sep: natural materials as tools; free with entry. Wednesdays: Young Potters’ Throwing, £8, book 01736 799703. Thursdays: Slip Pots, drop-in 2 to 4.30pm, hand-build a pot, slip & scratch designs, leave to be fired and glazed, for all ages, £10pp (TR26 & TR27 free)

Four fantastic Squashbox shows, Trebah Amphitheatre, Mawnan Smith, puppets, storytelling, music & comedy – 10 Aug The Sea Show, 18 Aug Skillywidden, 25 Aug Tales From The Trees & 31 Aug Stones and Bones, free with entry, 11.30am to 12.20, 01736 810181 www.trebahgarden.co.uk

The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense, Trebah Amphitheatre, Mawnan Smith, adaption of Lewis Carrol’s famous poem, with live floor-stamping rock ‘n’ roll, water buckets, sweaty actors, & a giant dragon puppet breathing real fire! 6.30pm to 7.45, book on 01736 810181 www.trebahgarden.co.uk

13 Aug Picnic in the Park, Moorfield Rd Open Space, Pool, 4 to 8pm, games & summer tunes; FREE tickets www.eventbrite.co.uk (ticket holders get FREE Hog Roast or Veggie dish, lollies & ice-creams, raffle, & kids’ goody bags)

15 & 16 Aug

15 to 17 Aug

16, 23, 30 Aug

18 to 20 Aug

21, 24, 25 Aug

Meet Titan the Robot! Camel Creek, see page 11, save £3pp with online code BBPIE23 www.camelcreek.co.uk

Pirates at Pendennis Castle, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, spectacular adventure on the high seas, book online save 10% english-heritage.org.uk/Pendennis

King Arthur FREE family workshops, Falmouth Art Gallery, free entry & activities. Weds 10am to 1pm, 16th Ornate initials, 23rd miniature 3D castles, 30th trusty steeds with fluffy mane & tail, 01326 313863

The West of England Steam Engine Rally, Stithians Showground, trailer rides, steam engines, children’s entertainment, live music, ring events & displays; families £25 (2 ad/3ch) ad £10, ch £2.50, u5s free, book www.weses.co.uk Use code SCHOOL23 for 10% off early bird tickets

Arthur’s Club Live: Stories from The Island, storytelling shows with original stories, music & keyword signing, age 3+, see page 25. Free entry funded library events, but must book, 21 Aug: Callington, 24 Aug: Truro, 25 Aug: Penzance

A fun-packed summer programme of family-friendly workshops inspired by the exhibition.

On Saturdays in July and September, Wednesdays in August and in Falmouth Week: 5 & 7 to 11 August

Family Fun TIME Summer Pottery Workshops

For you & your child to experience clay together

Hand-build in clay, slab-building, & pinch pottery

Tuesdays 22 & 29 Aug, Wednesdays 23 & 30 Aug,

10am to 1pm

£10 includes one adult & one child, (extra family members £10pp).

Create Cornwall CIC, Donald Thomas Centre, Camborne TR14 8EF www.createcic.co.uk

21 to 24,

28 to 31

Aug

22 & 23

22 to 25 Aug

22 & 23,

29 & 30

Aug

22 Aug to

1 Sep

23 & 24, 27 & 28

24 Aug

24 to 28 Aug

25 Aug

Amazing book-themed adventures, novelEnglish, the Lizard, amazing book-themed adventures, residential / non-residential courses: 21-24 Aug elope to the moors in Wuthering Heights; or 28-31 Aug be magicked away on the Fantasy Worldbuilding course! To book email enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk www.novelenglish.co.uk

Meet Bluey, Camel Creek, see page 11, save £3pp with online code BBPIE23 www.camelcreek.co.uk

The Invisible Monkey, hilarious drama for families, in song, dance & rhyme, 22nd 6.30pm: Sterts Open Air Theatre. 23rd 6.30pm: Penlee Park. 24th 11.30am: Kenwyn Church, Truro & 6.30pm: Methodist Chapel, St. Mawes. 25th 6.30pm: Enys Gardens, www.kernowchamberplayers.com

Family Summer Pottery Workshops, Create Cornwall CIC, Donald Thomas Centre, Camborne, 10am -1pm, experience clay together, hand build, slab build, & pinch pottery, half day workshop, £10 one adult & one child, spaces are limited, www.createcic.co.uk

Tom’s Midnight Garden, Minack Theatre (open-air), Porthcurno, David Wood’s loving adaptation of the bewitching novel by Philippa Pearce, a Minack Theatre production, tickets £10, under 16s half price, minack.com 01736 810181

Pirate Days, Helston Railway, Prospidnick, www.helstonrailway.co.uk

The Secret Garden, Pencarrow, Bodmin, enchanting old story performed in the Italian garden, 7.30, Chapterhouse Theatre Company, bring picnic & seating, under 5s free. www.pencarrow.co.uk/events

Cornwall Circus & Performing Arts Camp, Chyan Cultural Centre, near Penryn; run away to the circus for a camping holiday with a difference! Big Top, top tutors, focused training with Swamp Circus and great vegetarian food, www.circokernow.co.uk 07775 857677 office@swampcircus.co.uk

The Cornish Caretakers – A History of Cornwall, Newquay Orchard, 11am & 12.30pm, Mr Rodda Rowe Rescorla (AKA Edward Rowe the Kernow King!!) and Mrs Penrose Pengilly Penwarth (Emily Harrison), bring to life Cornish history and heritage, inventive & funny, £6-10, inc a free library card to use to collect a free book. newquayorchard.co.uk/events 01637 877182

The Comedy of Errors, Carn Marth Amphitheatre, Lanner, 7.30pm, Rain or Shine Theatre Company, Shakespeare’s hilarious masterpiece for all the family, carnmarth.org.uk

26 Aug

SkillyWidden, St John’s Church, Delabole, Squashbox Theatre, 12pm & 3pm, age 5+ endelienta.org.uk

26 to 28 Aug Geekfest! Heartlands, Pool, a world of geeky wonder: Cosplay comps, Mechanical Dragons, esports, bubble tea, lasertag, airsoft, live music, tabletop games, live action roleplay, lightsabre training & more! GeekfestCornwall.co.uk

27 Aug

Parklive, Falmouth, free, family-friendly, event, see 30 Jul

28 Aug August Bank Holiday

29 & 30 Aug

30 & 31 Aug

30 Aug to

2 Sep

Storytime with Paw Patrol’s Chase and Skye, Camel Creek, see page 11, save £3pp with online code BBPIE23 www.camelcreek.co.uk

Spectacular Dragons and Mythical Beasts, Hall for Cornwall, fantastical new interactive show, come face to face with magnificent monsters & terrifying beasts, see page 24

The Sponge Bob Musical, Theatre Royal Plymouth, 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com

31 Aug Sing Along the River, Lostwithiel, see 3 Aug

31 Aug, 2 & 3 Sep

Arthur’s Club Live: Stories from The Island, storytelling show with original stories, music & keyword signing, age 3+, see page 29. 31 Aug: Sterts Theatre, Upton Cross. 2 & 3 Sep: Trebah, Mawnan Smith, 01736 810181 www.trebahgarden.co.uk

1 Sep Rockpool Ramble, Hannafore Beach, 12.45 to 2.15pm, find amazing critters with experts, free but donations welcome, www.looemarineconservation.org

1 & 9 Sep Theatre on the Terraces, Newquay Orchard, 1 Sep 4. 30pm: production of David Walliams’ Bad Dad

9 Sep 11.30am: Squashbox’s Tales from the Trees. newquayorchard.co.uk/events 01637 877182

2, 9, 16, 23 Sep King Arthur FREE family workshops, Falmouth Art Gallery, free entry & activities. Sats 10am to 1pm, 2nd create Pre-Raphaelite scene for a photo shoot, 9th ‘William Morris’ wallpaper, 16th miniature angels, 23rd Lady of Shallot reflection & shadow pictures, 30th stained glass beasts. 01326 313863

8 to 10 Sep Mining & Pasty Fest, Redruth, free, celebrating Cornwall’s international links through food, heritage & entertainment discoverredruth.co.uk/

8 to 17 Sep Liskeard Unlocked Heritage Open Days, walks, talks, exhibitions & see behind doors which are usually closed, and it’s all FREE. www.visitliskeard.co.uk

9 & 10 Sep Heritage Transport Weekend, Helston Railway, Prospidnick, www.helstonrailway.co.uk

10 Sep Free Heritage open day, St Odulph Church, Pillaton, 2 to 5pm, church tower visits, bell ringing demos & explanations, guided graveyard trail & children’s activities, 07771 756125

10 to 17 Sep Free Heritage Open Days, NT Trengwainton Garden, nr Penzance, free entry. 01736 363148

11, 13, 15 Sep

Arthur’s Club Live, Minack Theatre, see 31 Aug & page 29.

13 Sep Tin Man, Hall for Cornwall, Truro, magical retelling of the classic story of Oz, seen through the eyes of the Tin Man, see page 27

16 Sep Wild Tribe Children’s Festival, Soapbox Theatre, Devonport Park, Plymouth, 11am to 4pm. Family Ceilidh, forest school, interactive science, wild makeovers, storytelling, environmental arty activities, Viking shield wall, walk-a-bout entertainment, & circus skills. Early Bird tickets £10. Age 4+. stiltskin.org.uk

17 Sep Free Open Day, Lizard Wireless Station, Marconi Bungalow, The Lizard, celebrate Marconi and wireless communication, free guided tours, special radio demos & family activities. 11-3pm, tea & homemade cakes (small cash donation), 07929656578

24 Sep Parklive, Falmouth, free, family-friendly, event, see 30 Jul

For a high octane, uber-energetic family day out, look no further than Newquay Leisure World, just a short walk from Newquay town centre.

Rain or shine, Newquay Leisure World has a wide range of attractions, including a trampoline park, a giant soft play area, a leisure pool with slides, and an onsite café.

The trampoline park is more than just a bouncing experience. There are plenty of high-quality trampoline beds and a host of interactive games and activities to enhance the fun. You can test your reflexes in the reaction pods or have a bit of friendly competition climbing, sliding, and racing on the timed obstacle course. Seeking a thrilling adventure? The dive tower will put your nerve to the test!

Next to the trampoline park is a monster-themed soft play area for younger children with a treehouse, slides, balance beams, mini trampolines, crawl tubes, and a baby area.

Refuel and recharge at the onsite café with hot and cold drinks, light bites, and well-deserved Cornish ice creams.

Complete your day with a plunge in the leisure pool with its fab slides and various water features; perfect for splashing around and having fun together as a family.

Parents, looking to maintain your fitness routine? Newquay Leisure World has a well-equipped gym, a great range of classes, and a new outdoor functional fitness area so you can enjoy being active and healthy!

Hayle Heritage Centre. 9 Jul: Join Hayle Heritage and The Sensory Trust at King George V Memorial walk for the launch of the free sensory trail packs, listen to a story, make some rope, take a pack and explore the town. 9, 23 & 30 Aug: free creative summer craft sessions from 1.30 to 3.30pm. The centre is open Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am to 4pm, & Saturdays in the summer. Other free children’s trails include The Copperhouse Family Activity Trail, and a guide and trail for you to discover the mighty industrial past of Hayle’s now tranquil Millpond Gardens, and its beautiful flora and fauna. 01736 757683 @hayleheritagecentre facebook Hayleheritagecentre.org.uk

Museum of Cornish Life, Helston. Krafty Kids at Museum of Cornish Life. Free, themed, craft activities for families (age 3+) on Mondays 1 to 3pm & Thursdays 10am to 12noon each week during the holidays, details on www.museumofcornishlife.co.uk

Jungle Jack’s, Newquay, let your little monkeys run wild on 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 for under 1s, adult entry just £1.50. Six month limitless entry pass just £60 per child. 01637 852890 or email info@junglejacks.co.uk. Ample seating, a well-stocked café and free WiFi

Action and adventure at Via

Ferrata Cornwall!

Adventure Childcare

The Adventure Holiday Club will be running during the school holidays. Treat your 6 to 13-year-olds to Cornwall’s most exciting childcare! https://viaferratacornwall. co.uk/holiday-club/

Via Ferrata activity

Take on an epic high-wire adventure involving scaling cliff faces, braving the high-wire bridge, and zip-lining through stunning quarries!

Adventure Zone: For age 8+. Master your skills on Via Ferrata’s Training Circuit and traverse across quarry cliff faces before facing the challenge of the ultimate High Wire Bridge, crossing the Quarry on a 70m long single strand of wire! Takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours; £25.

Full Classic: the ultimate climbing, high wire, and zip-line adventure for kids aged 10+ & adrenalin-junkies. Complete the Adventure Zone and progress to the larger quarry. Reach heights of 20 meters above water as you scale the cliffs and zipline. 2 Quarry Zones, High Wire Bridge and Zip Rides takes about 2 to 3 hours; £45.

Locals: 10% discount code LD10

(bring ID and proof of your Cornish postcode) https://viaferratacornwall.co.uk/via-ferrata/

NEW:

Truro’s Great Little Kids Club is back with daily activities at the Victoria Gardens Bandstand from 31 July until 25 Aug, every Monday to Friday, 2 to 3pm. The Countryside Rangers Team, Stories & Craft with Truro Library, Royal Cornwall Museum, Jules the Ventriloquist are back and the Hall for Cornwall team will be hosting dance workshops. Don’t forget to collect your free sticker after each activity. 24 Jul to 2 Sep: collect a fabulous, free activity pack (from Truro Library or Visit Truro Information Centre) with a Denzel the Hedgehog Town Trail, colouring-in, word search, and more. Complete the trail, collect a free sticker, and enter the grand prize draw. www.visittruro.org.uk

Falmouth Art Gallery, free entry, and activities. www.falmouthartgallery.com 01326 313863. The extraordinary achievement of an exhibition ‘The Legend of King Arthur: A Pre-Raphaelite Love Story’ is supported by wonderfully imaginative, FREE family workshops, 10am to 1pm. Saturdays in July – 8th chainmail making, 15th castle collages, 22nd design wallpaper inspired by William Morris, 29th Arthurian costumes for your toys.

Falmouth Week activities - 5 to 11 Aug: 5th King Arthur carnival (3 to 5pm make shiny helmets for the parade); 7th Romantic block printed patterns on fabric; 8th your coat of arms; 9th Clay magic charms. 10th Flower headdresses; 11th ‘Medieval knights’ brass rubbings. Wednesdays in Aug – 16th Ornate initials, 23rd miniature 3D castles, 30th trusty steed with fluffy mane & tail.

Saturdays in Sept – 2nd create a Pre-Raphaelite scene for a photo shoot, 9th ‘William Morris’ wallpaper, 16th miniature angels, 23rd Lady of Shallot mirror, reflection & shadow pictures, 30th stained glass beast scenes.

Zip Wire Safari

Ever wanted to soar past stunning scenery on a series of exhilarating zip wires? Via Ferrata’s dual zip offers double the fun as you launch from the quarry cliff edge and fly around together, building confidence with every ride. Savour the amazing views as you explore the fascinating quarrying heritage. The fully qualified instructors will get you kitted up, teach you the skills to safely use a zip wire, and guide you around the route - then you can zip along one of the most exciting zip wire experiences in the Southwest! Perfect for children aged 10+ and adults www.viaferratacornwall.co.uk/zipwires/

Cafe, wild play area for under 10s, and nature trails

Treat yourself and take a wander around stunning trails. https://viaferratacornwall.co.uk/cafe-with-wild-play/ Halvasso, nr Penryn, TR10 9BX

A fun summer of funded activities for children

This summer children across Cornwall will be able to enjoy a wide range of fun activities during the holidays. There are funded places for those on benefits-related free school meals.

The Time2Move Holiday Programme brings together providers throughout the county who put on sessions including water sports, dance, multi-sports, yoga, circus skills, BMX-ing and much more.

The programme is open to anyone aged 5-16 years old. Sessions are funded for those on benefits-related Free School Meals – everyone is welcome and encouraged to join the sessions. At the time of booking there will be a small fee for those not in receipt of benefits.

The programme also offers every child that attends a free healthy meal, whether paying for the session or not.

Parent, Flick Moore, commented on the Time2Move Holiday Programme’s Facebook page: ‘My 9-year-old daughter loved the activities at Polkyth and the dancing sessions. Looking forward to summer.’

The Time2Move Holiday Programme is run by Active Cornwall, which has made – and continues to make – a concerted effort to include all children, including those with SEND.

Tim Marrion said: ‘We want to remove as many barriers as possible so all children can enjoy the activities. This year our providers have been coming up with new and imaginative ways to be inclusive, including The Rock Pool Project’s first ever SEND mobile rock pool event that was held in Falmouth at Easter.’

Summer activities will run from 24 July to 1 September.

To book visit www.activecornwall.org/T2MHolidayProgramme/

Gel Blaster Surge Paintball at Raze the Roof

From 1 July, the latest craze of Kids’ Gel paintball (age 7+) is hitting Penryn! Gel paintball for kids is super-fast, high adrenalin with totally unlimited ammunition.

The blasters shoot 100,000s of non-staining gellets that simply evaporate leaving no trace. The latest fully automatic, battery-powered, gel paintball guns are very lightweight and can be used one-handed. It’s all indoor at Raze the Roof so no worries about the weather.

Raze the Roof are offering Gel Blaster party packages that include Laser Tag and VR options making unforgettable party memories. Full face-covering masks and full-length jump suits are provided, so get suited up and join the fun! Scan the QR code to find out more or to book your Gel Blaster Game call 01326 377481 or visit https://razetheroof.bookmyparty.co.uk/book

If you just don’t want the Gel Blaster fun to stop, you can buy your own Gel Blaster Surge with a 10% discount and take the fun home. Raze the Roof are Gel Blaster Surge stockists so you’ll never run out of ammo.

Raze the Roof soft play, virtual reality & laser tag arena, 30a Parkengue, Kernick Rd, Penryn TR10 9EP

Theatre shows and pantomimes this year

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

Hall for Cornwall is the place to be this year for tiny tots, big kids, and everyone in between! Kicking off the summer is everyone’s big lovable dog Hey Duggee live on stage from 13-16 July. Sing and dance with Duggee, the Squirrels and all your favourite characters at the Clubhouse in this award-winning production.

Next

As summer draws to a close, escape into Oz as Joss Arnott Dance presents Tin Man on 13 September. Perfect for children 7+, this magical retelling of a classic story is seen through the rusty eyes of the Tin Man and their journey to finding their heart and happiness, and you can even meet the characters!

Cap off the year with a fistful of festive cheer as Hall for Cornwall presents its Christmas show Peter Pan from 4-31 December. Following the fizzing fun of 2022’s Treasure Island, Cornish hero Edward Rowe returns to the Cornwall Playhouse stage, trading Long John Silver’s boots for Captain Hook’s… well, hook! Come take flight with Peter, Wendy and Tinkerbell too on a journey to naughty Neverland, where dangerous pirates and a certain crocodile are lurking…

And if that wasn’t enough, join Toddler Time every Tuesday at 10am in the Green Room Café until 11 July (this activity will return in the autumn). Enjoy stories, crafts, games and more with our experienced creative practitioners!

up is the spectacular Dragons and Mythical Beasts from 29-31 August. From the creators of the international smash hit Dinosaur World Live, enter into a magical world of myths and legends in this spell-binding adventure live on stage. Just don’t wake the dragon…

Sterts Theatre at Sterts Studio, Upton Cross, 01579 362382 www.sterts.co.uk

11 Jul 6pm: Science Adventures, Coppice Theatre, just brilliant.

1 Aug 2pm: Squashbox Theatre’s Stones And Bones, and 29 Aug

2pm: The Sea Show, puppets, songs, tall tales; age 5+

22 Aug 6.30pm: The Invisible Monkey, see below.

15 Aug 2 & 7pm: Light Work - Many Hands, Sterts Amphitheatre, spectacular circus theatre show featuring jaw-dropping acrobatics

Theatre Royal Plymouth, 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal

14 to 15 Jul: Dragons & Mythical Beasts – see Hall for Cornwall.

18 to 22 Jul: Daisy Pulls It Off, wonderful parody of life in a 1920s English girls’ boarding school - absolutely ripping!

21 to 29 Jul: Shrek the Musical.

1 to 5 Aug: Alice in Wonderland, funked-up remix of Lewis Carroll’s classic with a tech-savvy teen Alice, a riotous adventure for all.

30 Aug to 2 Sept: The Sponge Bob Musical.

Kernewek Community Theatre, Town Wall, Bodmin, www.crbo.co.uk 01726 63513

21 to 23 July 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, magical musical.

Kidz R Us, St Ives Theatre, kidzrus.net 01736 797007

1 to 31 Aug: Annie Jr is based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical. St John’s Church, Delabole, endelienta.org.uk

26 Aug, 12pm & 3pm: Squashbox Theatre: SkillyWidden (age 5+)

On Tour - indoor and outdoor

Cscape’s Tree, a joyful dance theatre adventure for little ones, see advert above. www.cscape.org.uk

5 Jul 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm: Richmond Park, Carbis Bay, St Ives stives.ticketsolve.com/ 01736 796297

6 Jul 10.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm: Cardinham Woods, intobodmin.co.uk/events

14 Jul 11.30am, 1.30pm: Princess Pavilion, Falmouth www.falmouth.co.uk/attractions/princess-pavilion

1 Aug 10.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm: Launceston Library Launceston.Library@liscornwall.org.uk

Arthur’s Club Live: Stories from The Island, see page 29. Kernow Chamber Players are back for a 5th semi-annual tour with a hilarious drama for families in song, dance and rhyme - The Invisible Monkey - a comedy-in-rhyme with music and dance for three speaking actors and a dancer/acrobat. Jenn is forbidden a pet by wicked Aunt Hettie whose only interest in small animals is for her nightly carnivorous culinary adventures! ‘Mice mushed up till nice and gooey/and mixed into a ratatouille’. A mysterious peddler has the perfect answer: an invisible monkey. But is it really…?! www.kernowchamberplayers.com

22 Aug 6.30pm: Sterts Open Air Theatre, Liskeard

23 Aug 6.30pm: Penlee Park Theatre, Penzance

24 Aug 11.30am: Kenwyn Church, Truro

24 Aug 6.30pm: Hotel Tresanton Methodist Chapel, St. Mawes

25 Aug 6.30pm: Enys Gardens, Penryn

Outdoor Theatre

Penlee Open Air Theatre Penzance

07816 285367

boxoffice@penleeparktheatre.com

Wide variety of shows including Squashbox

16 Jul: The Grimm Sisters with twisted tales, singing & comedy.

18 Jul: Peter Rabbit, 20 Jul: Alice in Wonderland; 25 Jul: A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Musical adapted into modern language, with hilarious comedy characters, and original songs.

26 Jul Robin Hood. 2 Aug: The Wind in the Willows. 4 Aug: The Ugly Duckling. 6 Aug: Pandora’s Box. 9 Aug: Dr Dolittle. 11 Aug:

The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense (pic) 14 Aug: Many Hands Circus’ Light Work. 15 Aug: Hercules delightfully daft family show.

23 Aug: The Invisible Monkey, details above.

Hilarious drama in song, dance and rhyme, performed by three speaking actors and an ‘invisible’ monkey!!

22 to 25 August:

Sterts Open Air Theatre, Upton Cross Penlee Park Theatre, Penzance

Kenwyn Church, Truro Methodist Chapel, St. Mawes

Enys Gardens, Penryn

Trebah Garden & Amphitheatre, Mawnan Smith. www.trebahgarden.co.uk Box office www.minack.com

01736 810181 Squashbox return with four fantastic performances this summer, an incredible mix of puppetry, storytelling, live music and comedy, 11.30am to 12.20pm. These four events are included in garden entry or free to members but tickets must be booked: 10 Aug

The Sea Show, 18 Aug Skillywidden, 25 Aug Tales From The Trees and 31 Aug Stones and Bones

12 Aug 6.30pm to 7.45pm: adapted from Lewis Carrol’s famous poem, The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense sounds great, with silly kicks and trips, live floor-stamping rock ‘n’ roll, water buckets, sweaty actors, and a giant dragon puppet breathing real fire! Non-members £16 adult / £8 child. Members £14.40/ £7.20.

2 & 3 Sep 11 30am to 12 20pm: Arthur’s Club Live is a brand-new show for age 3+, (see page 25), £8.50/£7.65 members.

Cardinham Woods IntoBodmin Events, https://intobodmin.co.uk/ 01208 811185

6 Jul Cscape’s Tree, 10.30, 11am & 1pm, details see page 25.

15 Jul 4pm: Bash Street Theatre’s The Battling Butlers

22 Jul 4pm: Squashbox’s Tales from the Trees.

Theatre on the Terraces at Newquay Orchard newquayorchard.co.uk/events 01637 877182

20 Jul 5pm: Quantum Theatre’s Peter Rabbit, enchanting adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s classic.

5 Aug 6 30pm: Pandora’s Box, riotous and ridiculous retelling by The Last Baguette, with physical comedy, live music, un-Apollo-getically bad puns and lo-fi special effects. age 6+

11 Aug 3 30pm Dr Dolittle Tethered Wits

1 Sep 4. 30pm: Heartbreak Theatre’s Bad Dad

9 Sep 11 30am: Squashbox’s Tales from the Trees

Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport Park, Plymouth. stiltskin.org.uk 07449 724261

22 July to 5 Aug: Stiltskin Theatre Company present... Tamara, a spellbinding tale of giants and earth nymphs. Performed in the Spellbound Wood (in the theatre if bad weather).

National Trust Trelissick, 020 83179000 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/trelissick

3 Aug 3 30 pm: Quantum Theatre’s The Wind in the Willows Pentillie Castle grounds, St. Mellion, Saltash https://www.pentillie.co.uk 01579 350 044

25 Jul: Robin Hood, by award-winning outdoor company, Illyria. North Coast Arts https://www.northcoastarts.co.uk/ near Bude

25 Jul 6.30pm: Splastick Picnic’s Peter Pan Norton Barton Artisan Food Village

27 July 6.30pm: Illyria’s Robin Hood, Ebbingford Manor

31 Jul 5pm: Heartbreak Productions’ Bad Dad by David Walliams, Bude Castle Lawn

9 Aug 6.30pm: Last Baguette’s Pandora’s Box, Ebbingford Manor

The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense, Calf 2 Cow Theatre Co. on 15 Aug 5pm: at Rectory Farm Tearooms, Morwenstow and on 16 Aug 5pm: at Crackington Institute.

31 Aug 6.30pm: The Pantaloons‘ Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Ebbingford Manor, delightfully anarchic show.

Minack Theatre (open-air), Porthcurno, minack.com 01736 810181

22 Aug to 1 Sep: Tom’s Midnight Garden, adapted by David Wood from the novel by Philippa Pearce, a Minack Theatre production. When his younger brother catches measles, ten-year-old Tom is sent away to quarantine at his uncle and aunt’s house near Ely. It’s dull, not being allowed out of the stuffy flat and there isn’t even a garden to play in. But everything changes one midnight, when the grandfather clock in hall strikes thirteen and Tom finds himself in a very different world. This bewitching tale of time and the power of memory has captivated readers for years. This loving adaptation has introduced it to new generations of children with all the magic of the original story. Perfect enchantment for children and families (from the team that brought you The Wolves of Willoughby Chase). Tickets from £10 (under 16s half price).

Carn Marth Amphitheatre, Lanner. carnmarth.org.uk

14 Jul 7.30pm: Bash Street’s The Battling Butlers

25 Aug 7.30pm: The Comedy of Errors, Rain or Shine Theatre Co. Shakespeare’s hilarious masterpiece for all the family.

Pencarrow House & gardens, Bodmin www.pencarrow.co.uk/events

24 Aug 7.30: The Secret Garden, an enchanting old story presented in the beautiful Italian garden, performed by The Chapterhouse Theatre Company. Bring a picnic and seating, well-behaved dogs welcome, under 5s free.

Regal Theatre, Redruth. 01209 216278

www.regaltheatre-redruth.co.uk

Strictly speaking not children’s shows, but ones for families to share: 13 Jul: Coldplace

(Coldplay tribute

with all the accuracy, musicianship, dedication and passion for Coldplay’s music and the feeling of a live Coldplay performance, the music, the visuals, the energy and the atmosphere.

9 Sept: The Dolly Show. Undeniably one of the BEST Dolly impersonators you will ever see; West End star Kelly O’Brien sounds like Dolly Parton, she looks like Dolly and she’s as witty and entertaining as Dolly.

21 Sept: The Time of Our Lives. Get on your dancing shoes and turn back the clock to the 80s with all of your favourite hits from classic 80s movies like The Breakfast Club, Pretty Woman, Flashdance, Back To The Future, and Top Gun

30 Sept: The Greatest Love Of All: A Tribute To Whitney Houston. Fresh from the show-stopping Britain’s Got Talent finals, Belinda Davids returns with her acclaimed stage show, described as ‘mind-blowingly spot on’.

Youth Celebration

Showcase Spectacular

Head to Truro for a two-day showcase spectacular at Hall for Cornwall on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July. Celebrate the talent of local young performers as they transport you into a world of magic, drama, and dance on the Cornwall Playhouse stage.

On Friday at 2pm, the enchanting young talents will bring your favourite fairytales and stories to life on stage with Fairytale Soup. Watch remarkable groups of 5 to 11-year-olds mesmerise you with their dance, music, and theatre performances. The evening brings a double bill at 7pm, with breathtaking dance pieces and a gripping rendition of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Julius Caesar, performed by talented teenagers.

Saturday’s double bill starts at 2pm, with Simon Harvey’s new play Strange and Wonderful performed by the Youth Theatre Group (aged 10-13), followed by musical theatre performances of extracts from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Finally, at 7pm, the Young Company (older teenagers) presents Find a Partner, a thought-provoking exploration of love in the digital age.

Experience the breadth and depth of talent being developed by Hall for Cornwall’s Get Creative programme and book your tickets now at hallforcornwall.co.uk

The Steren School of Ballet

is a new ballet school opening in September 2023 in Pool and St Day, offering classes from birth to adulthood and taught by a Royal Academy-trained Cornish ballet teacher.

Miss Jessica the Principal is a fully-qualified Royal Academy of Dance teacher and completed her degree at their headquarters in London, the only place in the world that teaches the BA Hons in Ballet Education, one of the best qualifications for ballet teachers.

Arthur’s Club Live presents

Stories from The Island

Castles, crows, and rowing boats; mermaids, dragons and tiny islands surrounded by the sea... Arthur’s Club, a place where everyone is welcome, a place where stories come alive.

The Steren School of Ballet starts ballet classes from birth with Baby Wearing Ballet, progressing to Ballet Sensory (12 weeks - walking), Little Stars Ballet (walking - 3 years) and Rising Stars Ballet (3 years - school age). These classes are unique and written by Miss Jessica using her imagination, love for ballet and expertise.

Little dancers will step, fly, and spin through magical stories with classical ballet themes, guided by Steren the Mouse (steren is Cornish for star). Classes will be accompanied by traditional ballet music and a large array of props to support children’s gross motor skills, creativity, and language development.

This is an excellent stepping-stone into the world of ballet and dance; after progressing through the Steren syllabus, children will be well prepared for Royal Academy of Dance classes having learned ballet safely, correctly, and with appropriate progressions for growing bodies.

www.sterenballet.co.uk

email info@sterenballet.co.uk

or call 07515 129358

Join Cornish performer and Makaton teacher Rebecca Hulbert for an inclusive children’s theatre show featuring original stories written especially for Arthur’s Club by a team of award-winning children’s storybook authors including James Henry (Hey Duggee, CBBC), Rebecca Cobb, (Missing Mummy, Aunt Amelia), Anna Wilson, (The Wide, Wide Sea), Naomi Jones, (The Perfect Fit), Anna Mansell (The Tempest, Trebah Gardens), and Craig Barr-Green, (Christmas in Cornwall). Stories from The Island are directed by Mydd Pharo and designed by Ellie Williams (both Wildworks) with original music by composer Matthew Thomason.

Arthur’s Club uses keyword signing woven into the storytelling, so signed and spoken words are intrinsically linked. Aimed at children aged 3 to 9, their grownups, and Makaton users, the show takes audiences on an adventure of imagination.

The feedback from the work created over the past 3 years by the Arthur’s Club team has been hugely successful:

‘I loved it all,’ Charlie, age 7.

‘I like the signing as it makes it good for everyone,’ Freya, age 8. ‘They were both transfixed throughout,’ a grown-up spokesperson for Megan and Eddie (age 5 & 3).

Come see the show and join the Club…

21 Aug: Callington Library (free entry, pre-book).

24 Aug: Truro Library (free entry, pre-booking required).

25 Aug: Penzance Library (free entry, pre-booking required).

31 Aug: Sterts Theatre.

2 & 3 Sep: Trebah Gardens.

11, 13, 15 Sep: Minack Theatre.

The show runs for 45 minutes.

Our Pre-prep is a special place that provides a happy, stable environment, where a love of exploration and nature grows hand in hand in our children’s first years of learning.

Families and staff work together to give children a rounded experience that allows them to develop a strong sense of belonging whilst exploring their individual talents and passions. Starting in our Nursery School from the age of two, we work closely with you to ensure the best possible transition, developing a partnership that creates a strong foundation, filled with magical opportunities for each child.

We currently have limited places for our Reception 2023 class. Come and see what makes us such a special place for your child to grow.

Blackbird Reads

Lost and Found

by Deborah Wright

Lost

by Maria Jo Ilustrajo

published by Frances Lincoln

A little polar bear finds himself lost in a big city. People are rushing around but they’re much too busy to stop and help him get back to the North Pole. Thank goodness…a small child befriends him and together they hatch a plan to get him back home. Perfect for children of 3+ who are beginning to understand the concept of being lost.

Dogger by Shirley Hughes

published by Red Fox

Every parent who has frantically searched for a beloved ‘cuddly’ will identify with Dogger, as will every child who has lost their comforter. In this classic, award-winning book, Shirley Hughes perfectly captures Dave’s panic as he searches everywhere for Dogger. For 3+

The Missing Piece by Jordan Stephens, illustrated by Beth Suzanna published by Bloomsbury

Sunny loves doing jigsaws, but when her granny gives her a 1000 piece one, she discovers that the final piece is missing. As she searches and searches she realizes that it’s just as important to look as to find. A heartwarming story, with joyful illustrations by Beth Suzanna, for 5+

A Cat Called Waverley

by Debi Gliori

published by Otter-Barry

A little ginger cat is nicknamed Waverley after Edinburgh’s station, where his special friend is Donald. But Donald goes off to fight in a war and Waverley waits and waits for years for his friend to return. A poignant story about homelessness, based on a true story and beautifully drawn in pencil, with only the little cat and some fallen leaves highlighted in colour. For 6+

The Haunted Lake by P

Polwhele House is set within 30 acres including woodland, playing fields, a walled garden, and greenhouses for the children to explore and learn. Find us on the outskirts of Truro, just off the A39.

01872 273011 office@polwhelehouse.co.uk

J

Lynch published by Walker

A strange folk tale about a village lost under a dam. Instead of farming their land, Reuben and his father become fishermen instead. But ghostly creatures below the water drag Reuben down to another world and he seems to be lost forever. Wonderful watery illustrations in greenie blues conjure up a haunting other world. For 7+

The Curio Collectors by Eloise

Williams,

illustrated by Anna Shepeta

published by Barrington Stokes

At the end of the nineteenth century, Tom and Lily and Ma Hawker travel the country in a caravan and entertain crowds with the strange curios they have found, and the stories they weave around them. But when Lily finds a piece of scrimshaw a mystery unfolds. For 9+

Kernow Health Community Interest Company has been delivering the school age vaccination programme to children in Cornwall since 2016.

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the contract to deliver vaccinations to school age children in Devon, from 1 August.

Because of this, we have decided to change the name of our immunisation service to Cornwall and Devon School Age Immunisation Service to reflect the two counties. This name will be seen on letters sent home from school, on our website, and on any other information which we send out.

A clear benefit of this change in service delivery is for children living in either county, who attend school in their neighbouring county, providing better access to the immunisation service which will now be delivered consistently, by the same organisation across both counties.

A few facts about Kernow Health:

• Kernow Health is a community interest company owned by all the General Practices in Cornwall.

• We are a not-for-profit organisation.

• We run other health-related services, including the Cornwall 111/Integrated Urgent Care Service and physical monitoring for children and young people with eating disorders.

• We were set up in 2011.

We are very excited about the forthcoming changes, and we will be welcoming the existing Devon team who will transfer to Kernow Health in August; their local knowledge and expertise will be invaluable. One of our key aims is specifically to tackle health inequalities around both counties which may be a barrier to children being immunised. We’re keen to look at innovative and creative ways which will help us to increase the uptake of school age vaccinations; and welcome feedback and suggestions for improving our service and making it as accessible as possible in all the communities where we work.

It will be business as usual in schools, so children will still see familiar faces when they receive their vaccinations and if you phone for advice, you’ll no doubt hear familiar names and voices. Information will continue to be sent out from schools on our behalf, and we have set up a dedicated school age immunisation Facebook page to provide regular information about the vaccination programme, catch-up clinics, information for parents, and details of how to give your consent for your child’s immunisations.

As always, our team are available to answer any questions you may have. Some of our contact details may change in due course, but for now please contact us on 01872 221105 or email

kernowhealthcic.schoolimmunisation@nhs.net and follow us on Facebook at Cornwall and Devon School-age Immunisations