Blackbird Pie Summer 2021

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Family fun at Tate St Ives & Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden this summer…

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Editors' letter BlackbirdPie contents and information

Creative workshops & music summer school Museums and attractions Tate St Ives Outdoor adventures Kevrenna trails - exploring with stories & GPS Summer theatre shows & circus camp Calendar summer & Sept 2021 Indoor fun Blackbird Reads Water-themed books Readers’ Art Gallery Fostering Kernow Health

Vouchers & Special offers: Camel Creek 10% off with BBP21 National Maritime Museum Cornwall, pay once get in for a year Wheal Play, Heartlands 10% Locals discount with code: TRLOCAL Tate St Ives, under 18s free, Locals’ Pass £5 for a year Editors’ cover page picture is by Esme aged 8, see gallery for more.

Editors’ letter Dear Readers, Welcome to BlackbirdPie’s digital summer issue.

Each section has a different theme, from a plethora of creative events to outdoor theatre shows for families all over Cornwall, from Bude to Penzance. You can make the most of the beautiful Cornish countryside with all sorts of outdoor adventures, zoom and zip around some excellent soft play centres and attractions, and marvel at some fascinating historical sites.

We have a watery feel running through this issue – the National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s ‘Into the Blue’ show sounds incredible, you can get creative on Porthmeor Beach with Tate St Ives, our book reviewer has watery-themed books and we have how-tomake sparkling jellyfish.

To book tickets for events just click on TICKETS. The LINK button will take you to a related feature in the magazine. Click on a name e.g. TATE and you will go to their website. The calendar pages are brief descriptions in date order so it is easier to choose what is coming up.

We hope you have an exciting and intriguing summer full of exploration, action, creativity and fun.

Vanessa, Simon and the Blackbird

Have a great holiday from Vanessa, Simon and the Blackbird 01326 314242 post@blackbirdpie.co.uk

To view previous issues of BlackbirdPie please click on this link: www.blackbirdpie.co.uk

Disclaimer, Privacy etc.

Quick guide to finding your way around the magazine

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Awesome Attractions & Marvellous Museums

Attractions & museums

Camel Creek Adventure Park Tredinnick, Wadebridge, (section cover photo) is a haven of family-friendly rides, giant play areas and animal encounters.

10% off when you use code BBP21 TICKETS Meet some favourite TV and film characters (at intervals during the day) - Hey Duggee! Big dog and the leader of The Squirrel Club are visiting on 27 & 28 July. Meet Peppa Pig and George on 3 & 4 Aug. Meet Catboy and Owlette from the PJ Masks on 10 & 11 Aug. Meet the Minions 17 & 18 Aug. Meet Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol on 24 & 25 Aug. Meet DreamWorks’ Trolls Poppy and Branch on 31 August & 1 September

Newquay Zoo Set in 13 acres of lush sub-tropical gardens, Newquay Zoo is a conservation, education and research charity home to some of the world’s most rare and endangered species including Javan green magpies, Philippine spotted deer and black and white ruffed lemurs to name a few. The majority of indoor areas have re-opened including Gems of the Jungle - home to beautiful free-flying Southeast Asian songbirds and Wildlife at Night - home to

grey slender loris and the Endangered Owston’s civet. PRE-BOOK

Pendennis Castle Plan your next adventure at Pendennis Castle and discover fun-filled events this summer.

27 to 29 Jul & 24 to 26 Aug: see rival knights compete for victory at The Knights’ Tournament and feel the thunder of hooves on 10 to 12 Aug: at the Legendary Joust. 3 to 5 Aug & 17 to 19 Aug: Grand Family Day Out, a jam-packed day of seaside family fun. PENDENNIS BOOK

National Maritime Museum Cornwall Falmouth. Pay once and get in free for a year. Explore 15 galleries over five floors, jump aboard boats, climb the 100-foot Lookout Tower, meet boat builders in the Boatbuilding Workshop, go underwater in the Tidal Zone, uncover ocean adventurers and survival stories and sail miniature boats on the waterfront Boat Pool. Plus, explore the latest blockbuster exhibition, Monsters of the Deep! 26 July to 3 Sept: Incredible Aerial Performances Monday to Friday 11am, 1 & 3pm; the acclaimed aerial dance company, Yskynna, take to the sky with a dazzling spectacle.

Set amongst the Flying Flotilla, Yskynna bring to life sea creatures with dance, music and storytelling.

Meet a mermaid as she swims and dives amongst the flying flotilla and bump into an anglerfish as it scuttles around the building. 24 July to 5 Sept: Take & Make and Museum Trail. All FREE with the annual admission fee. TICKETS

Bodmin Keep has a full programme of Second World War-themed family activities for all ages this Summer, including WW2 re-enactors, walking tours of Walker Lines where you can uncover history beneath your feet and three new exhibitions to explore! Activities are on throughout the day (10am - 4.30pm) and are included in the admission price, just go to BODMIN KEEP to see what’s on each day. The museum is great value at £7 adult, £3 child, under 5s free, and dogs too! BOOK

Eden Project 19 July to 5 Sep: Eden Project’s Summer of Celebration will star pop-up performance and theatre – from carnival and parkour to storytelling and dance – inspired by Eden’s unique setting. Events will be

changing weekly, so keep checking for the latest times and dates. There will also be a series of pop-up performances across site – these, by their very nature, will not be scheduled beforehand. Will you be one of the lucky visitors who catches one? Free with Eden admission / Locals' Pass / Membership; pre-booking essential. TICKETS Why not discover Eden in a new way with two story walks created with Cornish writers via Kneehigh’s free story app: WALK WITH ME

Pop Up PK Summer of Fun! Discover an inspiring and fascinating history of global communications at PK Porthcurno. This award-winning, very family-friendly museum combines the wonder of science with amazing histories and tales of human endeavour - from the discovery of electricity and Morse code, to fibre optics and future technology.

Friendly Learning Facilitators will be popping up around PK throughout August with fun events and activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Events will run weekly, Tuesday to Saturday, 3 to 31 August and include cable games, lino printing (using Planet PK images as inspiration), experimenting with cable sounds in the beautiful gardens, special mini PK tours in the museum, and cable long jump on Porthcurno beach!

Check out PK for details. BOOK

Other Great Days Out

Bodmin & Wenford Railway, travel back in time on wonderful old steam engines, from a charming 1950s’ railway station. B&W

Dairyland Farm Park, Newquay, visit the animals, enjoy outdoor play areas and the BullPen indoor play. DAIRYLAND

Bodmin Jail - discover Cornwall’s most haunting histories with state-of-the-art augmented reality and immersive experience. Age 8+. (picture below) TICKETS

Seal Sanctuary, Gweek, see all sorts of wonderful marine animals up close and learn about their individual stories. Underwater viewing areas, panoramic views of the Helford River and woodland walks. TICKETS

Lappa Valley Steam Railway, St Newlyn East, take a nostalgic steam train ride to a secret valley full of family-friendly activities including boats, little trains and crazy golf. LAPPA

Paradise Park, Hayle. Award-winning wildlife sanctuary. 24 Jul to 5 Sept: Bug and Butterfly Quest - Search for clues and learn about colourful butterflies, barmy bugs and creepy insects.

TICKETS

Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown, is a treasure trove with over 8000 artefacts from over 150 shipwrecks, and underground tunnels to explore; sited next to the Historic Port of Charlestown. Under 5s free entry & dog friendly.

TICKETS

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Creative Workshops photo CAST botanical drawing

Creative Workshops & Activities Art in the Park with Penlee House, Penzance. Penlee House is a charming gallery, museum, cafe and shop situated in Penlee Park, a space to reflect and great for family visits (there is a play area in the park too).

29 July, 5, 12, 19, 26 August & 2 Sept at 1.30 to 3.30pm, (meet at Penlee House) Penlee House will be running free family art activities in Penlee Park every Thursday during the holiday. Be inspired by creative challenges and make something to take home; activities will be inspired by the exhibition Laura Knight: A Celebration. 01736 363625 TICKETS

Tate St Ives Free entry for under 18s and the Locals’ Pass is only £5 for a year! Art Adventure Trail, Beach Art Explorers, Buggy Walk through the galleries, Holiday Art Challenge & Rooftop café. LINK

Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange Penzance. Summer Art Classes in the Garden (Newlyn), Wednesdays in August, 2 to 4pm, join Alice Ellis-Bray and explore colour, shape and texture over four workshops this summer. Inspired by the exhibition ‘In Your Hands’ make 2D and 3D seaside sculptures and woven landscapes, flower bouquets, flags and banners. £7. Book any or all four sessions. TICKETS Pick up activity packs for under 5s from The Exchange for only £3.50. The Art Takeaway, devised by artist Theo Carter-Weber, contains everything you need for a playful day out.

14 June to 30 July: The magical Palace of Culture returns! A free online digital event created in collaboration with V21 Artspace and Arts Council Collection. Step inside a virtual Palace made using the latest computer-generated imagery, and explore the set created by artists Tony Crosby and Laura Drayson with artworks selected by children at Newlyn School.

Participate in artist-led workshops and stimulate both body and mind - from offset drawing with

Naomi Frears, dance with Rosie Taylor-Hingston, or creative writing with Olivia Lowry. Suitable for all ages and abilities. PALACE OF CULTURE

CAST-Off CAST-Off, a creative summer of adventure imagination and play in the Helston area. Explore with a FREE activity map any time and take part in FREE artist-led pop-up activities for families on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 3rd - 28th August.

Look out for activities including kite making and flying, wild boat building and racing, wild pigment and paint making, map making, landscape painting, willow and clay construction, botanical exploration and photography.

CAST-Off is part of the CAST creative learning programme working with children and young people, schools, families and communities locally.

For more information visit www.c-a-s-t.org.uk or search for CASTCornwall on Facebook.

The special map, suggesting self-guided, creative things to do and discover, will be available from 3 August. You can pick these up from CAST or at any of the artist-led sessions, where packs with sketchbooks and artist pencils will also be available.

Most of the artist-led sessions will take place in the walled garden at National Trust’s Penrose and at ‘Ben’s Den’ which can be found in the woods near the Bulwark Estate.

either at Truro School or via online virtual sessions.

All abilities and interests catered for though to get the most out of it some previous musical experience is ideal. CMST SUMMER SCHOOL

Falmouth: Music Summer School 2, 3 & 4 August: Cornwall Music Service Trust and online music learning platform MusicEL are running their three-day Music Summer School on 2, 3 & 4 August, 9am to 4pm each day, and would love to see you there! Sessions will include instrumental and vocal masterclasses, ensemble workshops, lessons in composition, music technology, conducting and improvising and much more. Finishing with a great big Gala Performance for everyone to join in. You can pick and choose which sessions you attend,

Falmouth Art Gallery is small, free entry and very family friendly. Their team also run Baby Paint, Baby Jam and Little Fingers sessions at the Dracaena Centre and Gyllyngdune Gardens in termtime. BOOK During the school holidays there are free drop-in family art workshops every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Gyllyngdune Gardens linking to either the ‘Ingenious?’ exhibition at Falmouth Art Gallery or the ‘Wild World Heroes’ Summer Reading Challenge at Falmouth Library. FAL EVENTS

How to make glittering jellyfish

by Isla You will need: paper plate, ribbon, pipecleaners, glitter, eyes, glue Paint your jellyfish body (paper plate).

Dry in sun or with hairdryer Stick on glitter and eyes twirl pipecleaners for tentacles Insert ribbon through hole in ‘body’ and attach twirled tentacles underneath.

Many thanks to Isla for her beautiful making instructions and jellyfish

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Tate St Ives Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden © Rikard Österlund

TATE ST IVES

stories of Porthmeor Beach. Suitable for ages 5-12.

All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Tate St Ives © Rikard Österlund

© Kirstin Prisk

ART ADVENTURES TOWN TRAIL

Pick up a pack from Tate St Ives with everything you need to explore and get creative.

Available Weds – Saturday throughout August 2021, £2 per trail pack.

Are you ready for an art adventure in St Ives? Follow in the footsteps of famous artists and create your own art, inspired by our fantastic town.

As you follow our map around St Ives, learn about the artists that lived and worked, get busy on the beach making marks, explore a hidden garden and find patterns in nature. Doodle, draw and note it all in your very own artist sketchbook.

BEACH ART EXPLORERS

© Ian Kingsnorth

Explore the beach and get creative...

Wednesdays & Fridays in August 2021 Join us this August as we make art outdoors, inspired by the wonderful artists and magical

10.30-12.00 & 14.00-15.30

BUGGY WALK Take a journey through the galleries at Tate St Ives and see what artworks you can find. Take your pick of viewfinders and have fun trying out the activities. For parents and carers with children under 5.

The Tate Collective Producers worked with artists Saelia Aparicio, Georgia Gendall and the Tate St Ives Young People’s Team in Autumn 2020 to experiment, collaborate and create artworks in response to Haegue Yang: Strange Attractors.

Free with Admission. Until 22 August

Available daily throughout August 2021

HOLIDAY ART CHALLENGE Come to Tate St Ives this holiday and complete our art challenge. Pick up a challenge card and pencil, get exploring the galleries and have some fun. Will you be a Performance Poet, Map Maker, Shape Shifter or create a Window Wonder?

Available daily throughout August 2021.

CHAOS, CONNECTIONS AND COLLABORATION Chaos Collab Link Tate St Ives are proud to present a showcase of work by our Tate Collective Producers.

The Tate Collective Producers worked with artists

SOUND IN THE ROUND Taking inspiration from our previous Naum Gabo exhibition and the iconic architecture of Tate St Ives. Tate Collective Producers have collaborated with artist Reuben Evans to create a new soundscape Sound In The Round in the entrance to Tate St Ives. Until 26 September.

Tate Collective Producers are the young people’s group that meet regularly at Tate St Ives to work alongside artists, create art, devise workshops, social events and exhibitions at the gallery. Open to all aged 15 – 25 years.

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden © Rikard Österlund

Baby change facilities and accessible toilets.

Get your £5 Locals' Pass!!

New Changing Places facility.

Plan and book your visit:

Cornwall resident? Don't forget our £5 annual Locals' Pass gets you unlimited yearround entry to both Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Tate.org.uk/stives

18s and under get free entry! © Kirstin Prisk Locals' pass All visits need to be booked in advance Tate.org.uk/stives

CAFE AND SHOP Our rooftop café has spectacular views over the old town of St Ives, Porthmeor Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a must visit for coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. Highchairs are available on request.

Our shop offers a unique range of gifts inspired by local landscapes and artists. We stock a wide range of children’s products designed to spark a lifetime of art enjoyment.

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Outdoor Adventures Boat-racing led by Tim Pryke, CAST-Off ©CAST

Outdoor Adventures Cover picture - CAST see LINK See the calendar for rock pooling rambles around Looe. LINK

Kevrenna

exotic blooms and follow vibrant tunnels of colour cascading down to the secluded beach (and Cornish ice cream…). Hide in amongst the rustling bamboo, under the huge gunnera, and search out the flickering koi carp in the lake and ponds. Discover adventure play areas - the Paraglide and fantastic wooden Tarzan's Camp enclosed within a tree canopy - both for over 5s, and the smaller wooden Fort Stuart for under 5s. Between 29 July and 6 August, Trebah will be welcoming a very special lion! DANDY LION

is a free family-focused circular walking trail with clever GPS tracked trail points and local stories.

LINK

Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith

This beautiful 26-acre Cornish valley garden is magical. A perfect place to explore under canopies of

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Pentewan, St.Austell, are a wonderful natural playground with network of magical gardens, jungle, woodland walks and farmland. We love the

very long rope bridge… HELIGAN

11am to 5pm until 30 Sept. Don’t miss 10 & 11 July: Food Jam Festival, graze a trail of world foods in the lovely gardens, enjoy inspiring talks and demos, Live music from Flats & Sharps, Me and the Devil, wild food demos & foraging walks; adults £8, children £2 TICKETS 27 to 30 Aug: Miracle Theatre, see summer theatre article.

Chyan Cultural Centre

Heartlands, Pool 19-acre Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, is a family friendly attraction with beautiful diaspora gardens and a giant adventure playscape which are free to enjoy. For Wheal Play indoor fun see our indoor play section. 3 & 4 Jul: The Big Summer Creative Event, from 10am, free family-friendly event with community art, crafts, produce, holistic events, demonstrations & workshops. FREE TICKETS 29 Aug: Community Fun Day 10am to 4pm. Free entry with fete stalls, lawn games, fair rides, have-ago archery and entertainment. HEARTLANDS

The Gardens of Enys near Penryn, are gorgeous for children to explore and under 6s are free & only £2 entry for 6 to 16 yrs. Enys is open Tuesdays & Thursdays 2 to 5pm and Sundays

Lots of fun, family friendly events this summer (near Penryn). CHYAN Chyan Sundays regular familyfriendly outdoor event, 11am to 3.30pm. Workshops

include circus skills (aerial, acrobatics, juggling), yoga, Forest School and organic gardening. A vegan lunch is provided. Tickets £10 or £5 for students/ unemployed/over 60s.

07775 857677.

rolla bolla, acrobalance, tight wire, aerial hoop, trapeze and silks. TICKETS

Pilgrim Explorers

12 to 16 Aug Vegan Organic Festival with live music, circus, performace & foraging workshops, yoga & cooking, Talks & Forest walks, Roller Disco (bring skates) make charcoal and draw.

18 to 30 Aug: Cornwall Circus and Performing Arts Camp 2021, circus skills, vocal classes, dance workshops, yoga, then sit back and enjoy the entertainment from local and touring artists. Campers can enjoy solar showers, vegan cafe, spa, sauna, hot tub and pool too. 5 Day Tickets: (18 to 22 or 26 to 30 Aug) includes camping. £150 adult, £50 child, £275 family of 3 people. Day Tickets: £35 per adult, £15 child, £15 camping per day, TICKETS or email office@swampcircus.co.uk 10-week course from 14 Sept: Cornwall Children's Circus, Chyan, teaches many aspects of circus: acrobatics and movement, juggling, hula hoop, poi, staff, hat manipulation, balance on stilts, unicycle,

is a series of FREE micro pilgrimages each between two and seven miles long. Some are on the coast path, others in and around towns, including Fowey, Gunwalloe and Falmouth. They are ideal for a family or school group, with clearly marked routes and easy instructions. Each one is a journey of discovery as you find out about local history, geography, conservation, saints and legends. Just follow a colourful map, looking for lots of interesting features on your journey like getting

creative with natural materials and Beach Scavenger Hunts. Download your FREE GUIDES & MAPS More pilgrimages will be added in the coming months.

Via Ferrata Cornwall near Penryn, are developing some wild play areas for kids aged 3+ and adventure trails. Looking for childcare these holidays? Adventure Holiday Club is perfect for outdoor loving 6- to 13-year-olds. Just drop them off for a day or half day of water sports, climbing, zip-lining, archery or coasteering, (wraparound care available). BOOK Via Ferrata: an epic adventure challenge!

Take on Cornwall’s only Via Ferrata! Journey through historic quarries by scaling cliff faces, wobbling across the 70m long High Wire Bridge and soaring through the air on the zip wire! This fun and challenging adventure suits adventuresome kids aged 8+ through to full-on adrenaline junkies! Birthday parties and bespoke private adventure. VF TICKETS

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Kevrenna Trails

Kevrenna - Let your children take the lead!

clever GPS tracked trail helps you navigate your way to real-life trail points to unlock local stories and explore the stunning stretch of coastline between Geevor and Levant.

Kevrenna is a free family-focused circular walking trail integrated into the Tin Coast mobile app and starting in the Geevor mine car park. Each of the trail points is geo-fenced which means the app (using your phone) knows when you have physically entered each location. This unlocks a micro-film (less than a minute) that tells an important local story chosen by communities in West Penwith. At the end of each micro-film, answer the question correctly and earn a digital bezant. Collect extra bezants by taking nature photos along the way. The trail takes around 40 minutes and is designed for families with children aged 5-11. Can your family collect 15 golden bezants by the time you get back to the car park?

Chons da!

Kevrenna was commissioned by the Tin Coast Partnership and Cornwall 365 with support from FEAST. Find out more COUSIN JACKS

Cousin Jack’s theatre company have created a quirky and fun way to share local stories and heritage with children whilst out and about. This

Just download the Tin Coast app and find the Kevrenna trail (You won’t need mobile data once downloaded)

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Summer Shows Dandy Lion at Trebah Garden

Outdoor Theatre Be prepared for weather - bring sunglasses, midge spray, layers of clothes, raincoats and cushions, rugs or seats to sit on.

The performances will start in the Visitor Centre at 11am, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and take place on foot around the garden finishing on the beach. Booking essential. TICKETS DANDY LION

Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith TREBAH 01736 810181 Between 29 July and 6 August, Trebah will be welcoming a very special lion!

Tevi is starring in Dandy Lion, a magical, musical fable performed across the garden. Follow this loveable puppet lion cub, in a coming-of-age story as he discovers what it is to be the leader of a pride. A reminder that our uniqueness should be our strength; after all, there are many ways to be a lion…

There is something very captivating about Trebah’s traversing performances as they meander through sub-tropical glades and rustling bamboos.

As if physically journeying somehow immerses you further into the story, and each part of the garden adds something different to each stage of the storytelling.

the garden. Using dance, spoken word, science and installation the two performers introduce their young audience to basic plant biology, exploring wonderful things that plants are capable of doing.

The show is designed to spark children’s imagination and awaken empathy to plants and their senses.

'Thanks to additional subsidy we are able to offer a number of tickets for The Greenhouse on 2 & 3 Sept at a reduced rate of £12 for adults and £6 for children' (Garden entry included).

TICKETS GREENHOUSE

Open Air Family Theatre at the Lakeside Café Events Area, Coronation Park, Helston - TR13 0SR. 01736 810181 TICKETS Bring chairs & rugs. Free parking at Helston Fair Ground. Refreshments available. Under 2s free.

The Greenhouse 2 & 3 September 11.30am, 2.30 & 4.30pm Join Peppina Pimpernell and Benno the gardener on the magical journey into the senses of plants, performed in a pop-up greenhouse in the heart of

3 August, 4pm: Quantum Theatre present The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Peter Rabbit and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s Garden, but... soon they find themselves face to face with

Mr McGregor himself! £9. Fully booked at the moment but more tickets will be released if restrictions ease.

7 August, 8pm: Miracle Theatre present Starcrazy, a cosmic comedy about obsession and the rekindling of love, hope and possibility. Adults £15 children £10, families £42

18 August, 6.30pm: Heartbreak Productions present Mr Stink by David Walliams. One perfectly normal afternoon two restless souls unite on a park bench – a lonely 12-year-old, Chloe Crumb, and an incredibly smelly homeless man. An extraordinary friendship develops and takes them to the heady heights of live

television and Downing Street via a garden shed.

Adults £15 children £10 families £42

Sterts Open Air Theatre

24 August, 11am: Squashbox Theatre present The Sea Show, a quirky and hilarious mix of puppet show, natural history and comedy cabaret. Come and celebrate the sea with tall tales, silly slapstick, fantastic facts, live music and songs - unmissable fun for children and adults of all ages! £5

15 to 17, 30 & 31 Jul, 7.30pm, & 31 Jul at 2pm, 20, 21, 28 & 30 Aug, 7.30pm, 21 Aug, 2pm: Shrek the Musical.

27 Jul, 5pm: Alice in Wonderland 29 Jul, 2pm: Stones and Bones, Squashbox 5 Aug, 2pm: Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf 7 Aug, 5pm: The Further Adventures of Dr Dolittle 9 Aug, 2pm: Science Adventures, Coppice Theatre 12 Aug, 2pm: Squashbox’s Curious Creatures and 17 Aug, 2pm: Tales from the Trees 19 Aug, 5pm: Mr Stink.

23 Aug, 5pm: The Three Musketeers 24 Aug, 2pm: Peter Rabbit 26 Aug, 2pm: Squashbox’s The Sea Show & 31 Aug, Universarama

Upton Cross, Liskeard 01579 362382 TICKETS

Pentillie Castle Paynters Cross, St Mellion, 01579 350044 TICKETS Limited tickets due to COVID19. More tickets will be released if restrictions ease.

13 Jul, 7pm (gardens open 5.30pm): Award-winning Illyria’s fabulous production of Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore, a wonderful comic opera.

Pencarrow Estate Bodmin. TICKETS 24 Aug, 7.30pm: Chapterhouse presents…a brandnew production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Join Alice as she stumbles into the magical world of wonderland in a show alive with song, dance, and original music. Come in costume and join in a Wonderland Parade during the show.

Bring a picnic, seating and rugs for a wonderful evening in the Italian gardens.

Rogue Theatre at Tehidy Woods North Cliffs, Nr. Portreath, have two new shows for the summer 07814 558871 TICKETS

16 Jul to 27 Aug, 4pm: Robin Goodfellow's Amazing Travelling Show – derived from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an enchanting tale of magical mix-ups and forest fairies, retold for ages 5 to 95 by John Brolly.

24 Aug to 2 Sep, 3.30pm & 7.30pm: The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. A Minack Production of Joan Aiken’s gothic adventure, spiced with tongue-incheek humour and loved by generations of children (and this editor!)

12 to 16 Sep: John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps. A hilarious and spectacular version of Britain’s most spell-binding spy thriller. 7+

Drama Express Minack Theatre Porthcurno, 01736 810181 TICKETS Storytelling shows 19 Jul to 1 Sep, 4pm: Squashbox Theatre’s The Sea Show, a quirky and hilarious mix of puppets natural history and comedy cabaret.

at St Ives September Festival.

12 Sep, 3pm: a new Girl Power show from this wonderful, award-winning, performing arts charity for young people with additional support needs. email: dramaexpressoffice@aol.com TICKETS

Launceston events: 24 Jul, 1pm: The Brothers Grimm? Just story stealers!

The Grimm Sisters were the true brains. Join them for a

walkabout performance roaming the streets of Launceston, with their backpack basket bursting with stories and mischievous games. A marvellous mix of comedy, singing & live music. Free event starting at The Town Hall at 1pm. Then a static performance at the Parade Ground at 2.30pm. www.carntocove.co.uk/ 01209 312500

7 Aug, 1pm: Launceston Town Hall TICKETS 01209 312500. Rustle, an interactive family adventure jam-packed with puppets, songs, and outdoor surprises! Settle down for the greatest campfire story ever told with PaddleBoat Theatre Company; where sleeping bags evolve into monsters and rucksacks become friends. Age 4+

Miracle Theatre on tour TICKETS Starcrazy. A cosmic comedy. It's October 1957: the world lives in fear of nuclear war, Russia has launched Sputnik 1, UFOs are cropping up everywhere, MI5 is on high alert and Stanley is building something in his garden shed. He may live in suburbia but, in his mind, Stanley is voyaging through outer space. He hopes to make contact

with other life forms.

Bedruthan, St Austell, Helston, Newquay, St Mawes, Boconnoc, Perranporth, Truro and Enys. For details see https://miracletheatre.co.uk

breath-taking aerial, innovatively used to tell Bert’s comical story of trouble, triumph and maybe true love…

Coppice Theatre's

24 & 25 Jul, 3 & 5pm: Boscawen Road, Falmouth 7 & 8 Aug: Truro - TBC. 28 & 29 Aug, 2 & 5pm: Ebbingford Manor, Bude.

new show on tour Science Adventures: The Power Pickle. This fantastical show explores science with fun and accessible adventure stories. Professor McGuffin’s groundbreaking Sub-Nuclear Optical Transmitter (S.N.O.T.) has stopped working, and it’s jeopardising the whole mission! Now it’s our job to find a way to power it!

Join the intrepid scientists to the deepest depths and the highest heights! For ages 5+. 17 Jul, 3pm: Calstock Village Hall 01209 312500 TICKETS 31 Jul, 2pm: Penlee Park see above. 7 Aug, 2pm: St Day Old Church 07814 558871 TICKETS 9 Aug, 2pm: Sterts, see above.

Bash Street Theatre on tour BASH STREET The Cameraman. This musical comedy adventure for all ages is a playful homage to the film-noir genre with voice-over narration, silent comedy and live music. Both hilarious and very clever.

Pokya on tour In July and August at Sennen, Calstock, Porthcurno, Bodmin, Carn Marth, Launceston, Isles of Scilly, Sterts,

07948 483258 TICKETS New family friendly show ‘BERT’. Immerse yourself in a world filled with outstanding acrobatics and

VIDEO CLIP

From ‘sometime in the future’, a jaded detective looks back to the ‘Roaring 20s’ – the days of fake news, a world pandemic and global warming. The story follows the fortunes of an inept cameraman who inadvertently becomes involved in an international robbery.

23 Jul, Buttermarket, Redruth TICKETS 25 Jul, Maker with Rame, 01209 312500. TICKETS 20 & 21 Aug, Mount Folly, Bodmin, free event 12noon & 2.30pm.

26 Aug Penlee Park, 2pm & 7.30pm. TICKETS 27 Aug 5pm Sterts. TICKETS 28 Aug Carnmarth, Redruth, 7.30pm carnmarth.org.uk.

30 Aug, Soapbox Theatre, Plymouth, 3pm & 6pm TICKETS 18 & 19 Sept, St Mary's and 20 Sept Tresco, Isles of Scilly, www.carntocove.co.uk/ 01209 312500 TICKETS

North Coast Arts is new, based in Bude, and run high quality arts events at a range of distinctive open-air and indoor venues. The season begins with 22 professional

open-air theatre performances, for all the family, at Ebbingford Manor, Little Pig Farm shop & Cafe, Crackington Institute, and Norton Barton Artisan Food Village. NCA TICKETS 11 Jul, 5pm: Robin Hood, Little Pig Farm shop.

28 Jul, 6.30pm: Alice in Wonderland, Ebbingford Manor.

Arthur - The Story of a King: 6 Aug, 5pm Crackington Institute & 7 Aug: Ebbingford.

16 Aug, 5pm: Mr Stink, Ebbingford.

23 Aug, 2 & 5pm: Horrible Histories present Gorgeous Georgians & Vile Victorians, Ebbingford.

Penlee Park Open Air Theatre Penzance, book on TICKETS 9 Jul, 7.30pm: H.M.S. Pinafore, Illyria's production of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic comic opera, age 7+.

11 Jul, 2pm: Diggory’s Pirate Party, Little Trebiggan’s story of Diggory Piper, crafts and games.

18 Jul, 2pm: The Sea Show Squashbox.

25 Jul, 1pm: Haarts Ever After's fully immersive Mad Hatter Tea Party.

29 Jul, 6.30pm: Alice in Wonderland.

30 Jul, 2pm: Tales from the Trees, Squashbox .

31 Jul, 2pm: Science Adventures – The Power Pickle, Coppice Theatre.

4 Aug, 6.30pm: Little Red & The Big Bad Wolf family musical from Folksy Theatre.

6 to 8 Aug, 6.30pm & 7 Aug, 2pm: James & the Giant Peach, Helston Theatre Company with Roald Dahl’s much-loved classic fantasy.

10 Aug, 7.30pm: Illyria’s The Further Adventures of Dr Dolittle.

11 & 12 Aug: Miracle’s Starcrazy.

13 Aug, 2pm: Squashbox’s Curious Creatures.

24 Aug, 6.30pm: Wander with Grimm, Heartbreak Production of fairy tales - with a modern twist! Age 7+.

25 Aug, 6.30pm: Peter Rabbit Quantum Theatre.

26 Aug, 2 & 7.30pm: Bash St Theatre’s The Cameraman.

28 Aug, 2pm: Squashbox’s Stones & Bones

Stiltskin's Soapbox Children’s Theatre is based in 33 acres of beautiful parkland in Devonport Park, Plymouth. They have three performance areas - a child friendly indoor theatre auditorium and two outdoor theatre spaces – The Spellbound Storytelling Wood, and the Soapbox Amphitheatre.

31 July: Bubblicious Unlocked - Baby Rave 3 & 5pm.

Selected dates 24 July to 7 Aug: The Three Little Pigs.

8 Aug & 4 Sep: Circus Berzercus.

14 Aug: Midsummer Night's Dream Shakespeare’s enchanting tale retold for ages 5 to 95 by John Brolly.

30 Aug: The Cameraman Bash Street (see above) TICKETS

Indoor Theatre Theatre Royal Plymouth TICKETS 15 to 17 Jul: Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain live on stage! Can you beat battling Boudicca? Will you lose your heart or head to horrible Henry VIII? Dare you stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin? The horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in. Age 5+

email office@swampcircus.co.uk

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Calendar for July, August...

Section cover photo: Wild Week at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Calendar

Restrictions may change so please check the venue's website or social media for the latest information.

Summer Saturdays: Acorn Wild Story Walks, Acorn Glamping, St Blazey, 1 & 3pm, winding pathways, the magic of nature, a Woodland Fairy with tales to share, £5, u3s free, TICKETS 01726 879500 Sundays: Chyan Sundays, Chyan Cultural Centre, near Penryn, 11am to 3.30pm, family-friendly outdoor event, workshops: circus skills, yoga, Forest School & organic gardening, £10 / £5 inc vegan lunch CHYAN

Book ahead! For many places you will need to pre-book online and for some there are timed entry tickets.

until 30 Jul: The magical Palace of Culture! Free online digital event. Step inside a virtual computer-generated Palace, join artist-led workshops e.g. offset drawing, dance & creative writing.

Suitable for all ages & abilities. PALACE OF CULTURE

Until 28 Aug: Starcrazy, Miracle Theatre on tour with a cosmic comedy, at Sennen, Calstock, Porthcurno, Bodmin, Carn Marth, Launceston, Isles of Scilly, Sterts, Bedruthan, St Austell, Helston, Newquay, St Mawes, Boconnoc, Perranporth, Truro and Enys; see theatre shows, MIRACLE Until 5 Sept: Heligan Lost Summer Adventures, 9am to 5pm daily. Prebooked tickets essential. BOOK Make an all-weather den; climb, crawl, balance, swing, and slide your way around the new outdoor adventure play space on the East Lawn; play traditional outdoor garden games - giant Jenga, limbo, Garden top trumps, Garden twister, hoopla, skipping and skittles.

Wildlife Wednesdays - join the Heligan team and local wildlife experts to take part in bee and butterfly walks that will open your eyes to the role these incredible pollinators play in all our lives.

Super Summer Sunday Sessions this

holidays with live musicians, BBQ’s and roast Sunday lunches, storytelling sessions, livestock demonstrations and exclusive wildlife tours by raft around the Lost valley ponds.

22 July 5 & 19 Aug, 2 Sep: Relaxed Sensory sessions – 9 to 10.30am, prebook via Heligan Reception on 01726 845100.

3 & 4 Jul: The Big Summer Creative Event, Heartlands, from 10am, FREE family-friendly event with community art, crafts, produce and holistic events.

Demonstrations/workshops will be included. FREE TICKETS 9 Jul to 28 Aug: Variety of family shows, Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, details see theatre shows, book on TICKETS 01726 879500 PENLEE PARK

10 & 11 Jul: Food Jam Festival, Enys, near Penryn, graze a trail of world foods in the lovely gardens, talks & demos, live music, wild food demos & foraging walks; adults £8, children £2 TICKETS 11 Jul to 23 Aug: Variety of family shows, North Coast Arts, Bude, at Ebbingford Manor, Little Pig Farm, Crackington Institute, Norton Barton Artisan Food Village. LINK 11 Jul, 5pm: Robin Hood 28 Jul, 6.30pm: Alice in Wonderland 6 & 7 Aug, 5pm: Arthur - The Story of a King 16 Aug, 5pm: Mr Stink 23 Aug, 2 & 5pm: Horrible Histories. NCA TICKETS 13 Jul: HMS Pinafore, Pentillie Castle, St Mellion, Illyria’s production of Gilbert & Sullivan's wonderful comic opera, 7pm, gardens open 5.30pm, TICKETS 01579 350044

15 to 17 Jul: Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain live on stage! Theatre Royal Plymouth, the horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in. Age 5+ TICKETS

Show, Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, 4pm, hilarious mix of puppets, natural history and comedy cabaret. TICKETS

24 Jul: The Grimm Sisters, free walkabout performance from Launceston Town Hall, 1pm, then static at Parade Ground, 2.30pm; marvellous mix of comedy, singing & live music, TICKETS 01209 312500

15 Jul to 21 Aug: Shrek the Musical, Sterts Open Air Theatre, Upton Cross, various dates, TICKETS 16 Jul to 27 Aug: Robin Goodfellow's Amazing Travelling Show, Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, 4pm, enchanting tale of magical mix-ups and forest fairies, retold for ages 5 to 95 by John Brolly.

01736 810181 TICKETS

24 & 25 Jul: Bert, Pokya, Boscawen Road, Falmouth, 3 & 5pm, family friendly show, comical story with acrobatics and breath-taking aerial LINK, 07948 483258 TICKETS

17, 31 Jul, 7 & 9 Aug: Science Adventures: The Power Pickle, Coppice Theatre on tour, fantastical show with science & adventure stories, ages 5+, 17 Jul 3pm: Calstock, 31 Jul 2pm: Penlee, 7 Aug 2pm: St Day Old Church, 9 Aug 2pm: Sterts. LINK 19 Jul to 1 Sep: Squashbox’s The Sea

homage to film-noir, silent comedy with voice-over narration & live music, for all ages. Redruth, Maker with Rame, Bodmin, Penlee Park, Sterts, Carnmarth, Isles of Scilly, selected dates, LINK

24 Jul to 1 Aug: Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s National Marine Week, familyfriendly marine exploration days; activities include games, badgemaking, rock pooling and snorkel safaris. BOOK 23 Jul to 19 Sep: The Cameraman, Bash Street Theatre on tour, hilarious

24 Jul to 5 Sep: Bug & Butterfly Quest,

Paradise Park, Hayle, Search for clues, learn about colourful butterflies, barmy bugs and creepy insects, get a reward 01736 751020 26 July to 3 Sep: Into the Deep Blue: incredible aerial performances, NMMC Falmouth, Mons to Fridays, 11am, 1 & 3pm, dazzling aerial spectacle, Yskynna bring to life sea creatures (& a mermaid!) with dance, music & storytelling, from high amongst the Flying Flotilla, free with entry (Pay once and get in free for a year). 24 Jul to 5 Sep: Take & Make & Museum Trail.

LINK Adventure Holiday Club, amazing childcare! Via Ferrata Cornwall, near Penryn, perfect for outdoor loving 6- to 13-year-olds, drop them off for a day or half day of water sports, climbing, ziplining, archery or coasteering; wraparound care available BOOK 26 Jul to 5 Sept: WW2 activities,

Bodmin Keep, daily from 10am to 4.30pm, including WW2 re-enactors, Walker Lines walking tours and three new exhibitions, all included in the admission price, under 5s free entry.

LINK

27 to 29 Jul: The Knights’ Tournament, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, immerse yourself in medieval life, see rival knights compete for victory in the Grand Melee finale. Also, on 24 to 26 Aug. LINK 27 Jul to 31 Aug: Variety of family shows, Sterts Open Air Theatre, Upton Cross, Liskeard, LINK, 01579 362382 TICKETS

characters & 10% off! Camel Creek Adventure Park, Wadebridge, Tues & Weds, Hey Duggee, Peppa Pig & George, PJ Masks’ Catboy & Owlette, Minions, Paw Patrol’s Chase & Marshall, and Trolls Poppy and Branch, see back page for the days they are visiting… 10% off when you use code BBP21 TICKETS 27 Jul to 2 Sep: Free family art workshops, Gyllyngdune Gardens, Falmouth, every Tues, Weds & Thurs, STEAM and Wild themes linking to Falmouth Art Gallery’s ‘Ingenious?’ exhibition & Falmouth Library’s Summer Reading Challenge FAL 29 Jul to 6 Aug: Dandy Lion, Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, LINK a magical, musical fable performed across the garden. TICKETS

10% off at Camel Creek with code BBP21 27 Jul to 1 Sep: Meet & Greet TV & film

29 Jul to 2 Sep: Art in the Park, every Thursday, Penlee House events in Penlee Park, Penzance, 1.30 to 3.30pm, free family art activities, creative

challenges to make & take; inspired by the Laura Knight exhibition; 01736 363625 LINK 31 Jul: SaltFest, Saltash, free entry, stalls & stage - Fore Street; Longstone Park - festival stage & entertainment, 12noon to 10pm 1 to 31 Aug: Buggy Walk & Holiday Art Challenge, Tate St Ives, choose viewfinders try activities & art challenge as you journey through the galleries, free with admission, Tate Membership or Locals’ £5 annual pass, under 18s free. LINK 2 to 4 Aug: Music Summer School, in Truro and online, instrumental, vocal, ensembles, conducting, music tech, composition, masterclasses and Gala Performance; CMST SUMMER SCHOOL

2 to 5, 9 to 12, 16 to 19 & 23 to 26

Aug: Four day, multi-activity summer clubs, Cornwall College Camborne's Sport Centre, 9am-1pm, Active Cornwall sessions for 6 to 8 yrs & 9 to 11 yrs, mixed abilities focusing on fun, enjoyment, the benefits of being physically active and eating healthily.

Your child can attend as many sessions as you want, each day is £12 (free if you receive free school meals) which includes lunch. For more info BOOK 3 to 5 Aug: Grand Family Day Out, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, a jampacked day of seaside family fun, (& 17 to 19 Aug), BOOK

10% off at Camel Creek with code BBP21 3 to 28 Aug: CAST-Off, a creative summer of adventure, Helston area.

LINK Explore with a FREE activity map, Tuesdays and Saturdays take part in FREE artist-led pop-up families’ activities CAST 3 to 31 Aug: Pop Up PK Summer of Fun! PK Porthcurno, Tues to Sat: cable games, lino-printing, experiments with cable sounds in the beautiful gardens, special mini PK museum tours, cable long-jump on Porthcurno beach!

TICKETS

Wednesdays 4, 11, 18 Aug: Crafting with natural materials! 3 summer sessions for toddlers and older children in the beautiful greenhouse at Potager Garden, Constantine TR11 5RF. 4 Aug – Dinosaurs, 11 Aug Fairies and Dragons, 18 Aug – Bugs.

Each session consists of 2 themed crafts, a treasure/scavenger hunt, a giveaway for each child, tea and cake for adults and a few extra bits squeezed in for good measure, 10am to 12noon. Adult & child £12, Extra adult £3, Extra child £2 (babes-inarms free) BOOK /naturebugsplaygroup 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug: Summer Art Classes in the Garden, Newlyn Art Gallery, Wednesdays 2 to 4pm, with artist Alice Ellis-Bray, make 2D & 3D seaside sculptures, woven landscapes, flower bouquets, flags & banners inspired by the ‘In Your Hands’ exhibition, £7.

TICKETS

4 to 27 Aug: Beach Art Explorers, Tate St Ives, Weds & Fridays in Aug, make art outdoors, inspired by wonderful artists & magical stories of Porthmeor Beach, ages 5 to 12, £3, TICKETS

Library, Millpool, learn about local sea creatures, make clay models, leave to dry, paint it on 19th. FREE (donations welcome), TICKETS

4 to 28 Aug: Art Adventures Town Trail, Tate St Ives, Weds to Saturdays in Aug, follow in the footsteps of famous artists, create your own art inspired by St Ives; Pick up a pack from Tate St Ives £2 LINK

10% off at Camel Creek with code BBP21 10 to 12 Aug: Legendary Joust, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, immerse yourself in medieval life, see rival knights compete for victory, LINK

7 Aug: Starcrazy, Coronation Park, Helston, 8pm, a cosmic comedy about obsession and the rekindling of love, hope and possibility. Adults £15 children £10 01736 810181 TICKETS Rustle, Launceston Town Hall, 1pm, an interactive family adventure jampacked with puppets, songs, and outdoor surprises! PaddleBoat Theatre Company; age 4+ TICKETS 01209 312500

17 to 19 Aug: Grand Family Day Out, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, a jampacked day of seaside family fun, BOOK

10 Aug: Explore a farm with all your senses, Releath Farm with Crowan Church, 10am to 1pm, bring teddy & picnic, book Becky@cambornecluster.org.uk

11 & 24 Aug: Summer Rockpool Rambles, Hannafore beach, Looe, 1.30 to 3.30pm/ 1 to 3pm, explore the rocky shore with experts, educational event for families; FREE (donations welcome), TICKETS 16 & 19 Aug: Create & Paint Sea Creatures, 10am to 12noon, Looe

10% off at Camel Creek with code BBP21

18 Aug: Mr Stink, Coronation Park, Helston, 6.30pm, 01736 810181 TICKETS

Porthcurno, 3.30pm & 7.30pm, Minack Production of Joan Aiken’s gothic adventure, spiced with tongue-incheek humour 01736 810181 TICKETS

18 to 30 Aug: Cornwall Circus and Performing Arts Camp 2021, Chyan Cultural Centre, near Penryn, circus skills, vocal classes, dance workshops, yoga, entertainment from local & touring artists. Day & camping TICKETS or email office@swampcircus.co.uk 24 Aug: Squashbox’s The Sea Show, Coronation Park, Helston, 11am, a quirky and hilarious mix of puppet show, natural history and comedy cabaret. 01736 810181 TICKETS Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Pencarrow, Bodmin, 7.30pm, performance & Wonderland Parade, bring a picnic. TICKETS

24 to 26 Aug: The Knights’ Tournament, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, immerse yourself in medieval life, see rival knights compete for victory in the Grand Melee finale, LINK 24 Aug to 2 Sep: The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Minack Theatre,

10% off at Camel Creek with code BBP21

Day, Pool, 10am to 4pm, free entry, fete, stalls, lawn games, fair rides, have-a-go archery and entertainment POSTER

10% off at Camel Creek with code BBP21

28 & 29 Aug: Bert, Pokya, Ebbingford Manor, Bude, 2 & 5pm, family friendly show, comical story with acrobatics and breath-taking aerial, 07948 483258 TICKETS

2 & 3 Sep: The Greenhouse, Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, 11.30am, 2.30 & 4.30pm, Join Peppina Pimpernell & Benno the gardener on a magical journey into the senses of plants, performed in a pop-up greenhouse, LINK TICKETS

29 Aug: Heartlands Community Fun

10 to 12, 17 to 19 Sep: Heritage Open

Days, Moseley Heritage Museum, Tumblydown Farm, Redruth, free entry/ donations, vintage toys and trains, Narrow gauge mine train rides, mining displays, Murdoch Flyer live steam road locomotive, family fun; no need to book 07511 256677 12 Sep: Girl Power show, Drama Express at St Ives September Festival. 3pm, dramaexpressoffice@aol.com DRAMA EXPRESS Free Heritage Open Day, Trengwainton Garden, National Trust, Penzance, free entry, TICKETS 12 to 16 Sep: The 39 Steps, Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, hilarious & spectacular version of John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock's most spell-binding spy thriller, 7+, 01736 810181 TICKETS

18 Sep: Big ReadFest, Gwealan Tops, Redruth, performances, workshops & activities, meet authors, illustrations, puppetry, refreshments, stalls; adults £5, child £3 GWEALAN TOPS

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Indoor Fun photo: Wheal Play, Pool

Book online www.heartlandscornwall.com Wheal Play, Heartlands, Dudnance Lane, Pool, TR15 3QY 01209 707308

Heartlands’ mining-themed indoor soft play centre, Pool.

Open 9am-4pm daily with two-hour sessions.

Child £4.95 Adult £1 There are obstacles to climb, beams to dodge, passages to navigate, swoop down the swirly 'Mine Drop' slide, toys and games to play with and a dedicated area for babies. Free entry to the diverse gardens and outdoor adventure playground too.

Birthday parties include bouncy castles, NERF battles, archery, music, games and crafts. BOOK 10% Locals discount using discount code: TRLOCAL Proof of address will be required.

Raze the Roof soft play, virtual reality & laser tag arena, Penryn.

Huge, newly made-over & well-designed indoor play area including a vertical drop slide, four lane astro slide, bash bags, rollers and rope walks, plus loads for toddlers. Perfect for birthday parties or just for fun days out. 01326 377481 RTR

group of up to 10 players who appear in a virtual world together. You can also enjoy a multitude of games in a solo virtual reality pods for up to four people. Great fun for the whole family, with games to suit all ages, and brilliant for parties. VR Children’s 2-hour party includes free roam arena VR games Star Seeker & Ghost Mansion; games in the solo pods; and hot food and unlimited cold juice drinks. Email: hello@razevr.fun RAZEVR VIDEO

RazeVR at Raze the Roof Your virtual world is now reality #razevr. Play against your friends in Cornwall’s only 10 player free roam arena. razeVR is a free roam and solo pod paradise with portals to multi virtual experiences, accessed only from Penryn! The VR games are played in a

Celtic Tossers Normally you would actively avoid putting an axe in your child’s hand. Celtic Tossers actively encourage it!

They provide a safe and controlled environment to have fun tossing axes at targets. When they started doing mobile events, lots of younger children wanted to have a go, so they designed a lightweight metal axe for 7-year-olds and they love it! Now there is a permanent location in Truro city centre and one coming soon to Plymouth. Tuition is provided throughout the hour’s session using both metal axes and standard throwing axes. CELTIC TOSSERS

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. A perfect place to meet friends - well-stocked café, free Wi-Fi, free play & entry for under 1s, adult entry just £1.

01637 852890. PREBOOK

Paradise Park Hayle. Walk the rope bridge, climb the nets, fly down the giant slides in the brilliant JungleBarn indoor play centre. There is challenging soft play, a special toddlers’ zone with ball fountain; and jungle-themed rooms perfect for birthday parties.

01736 751020 JUNGLEBARN

Granite Planet Climbing Centre Penryn, offers climbing activities and daily holiday clubs for all ages. Perfect for parties, schools, youth groups, taster sessions and clubs. 01326 376633 GP

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Percy Pengelly Cornwall's tightrope-walking chimney-sweep stars in another thrilling adventure

Do you remember Percy Pengelly?

Percy Pengelly and Tumbili the Monkey is another beautifully-illustrated Cornish tale by Jenny Steele Scolding and Andy McPherson, who brought you the best-selling Percy Pengelly and the WibbleWobble.

Percy was a tightrope walker, but one day he wibble-wobbled too much and had to leave the circus. He now works as a chimney sweep, but hasn’t forgotten his circus skills.

Soon Percy and his friends – old and new – are taking part in a madcap monkey chase through the town, ending in a thrilling climax high above the waves.

Both books are available now, priced £7.99, in bookshops and giftshops in Cornwall, and online from Waterstones and Amazon.

Percy’s new adventure begins when a tall ship sails into harbour, and Captain Lugg spots an unexpected passenger on board.

Further information from Serpentine Design, email: bill@serpentine-design.com

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BlackbirdReads Water by Deborah Wright

BlackbirdReads: Water, Water Everywhere

by Deborah Wright Here is a bumper crop (or should it be shoal?) of new watery tales for children in Cornwall, who are never far from the sea.

Noah’s Seal by Layn Marlow, published by Oxford A little boy sits at the edge of the wild wide sea and dreams of seeing seals. He imagines their whiskers and shiny eyes and speckled backs. As he waits, he makes a wonderful seal out of sand with pebbles for eyes and a seaweed smile. Gentle illustrations with the cutest seals (sand seals and real ones) make this a lovely book for a small child who has perhaps been to the seaside for the first time. For 2+ Out to Sea by Helen Kellock, published by Thames and Hudson Lara’s Nana has just died and tears of sadness spill out of her and carry her away on a tide of grief.

She floats away until the sea swallows her up in its dark belly.

But as the waters swirls around her she realises that she is surrounded by fish and there is light and love, and she is not alone. For a young child faced with bereavement, this book might give some comfort and hope. For 3+

Once Upon a Mermaid’s Tail by Beatrice Blue, published by Frances Lincoln

The Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant, illustrated

by Lydia Corry, published by Oxford When Billy invites his friends round to play his two mums always embarrass him dreadfully. They dance jigs, sing sea-shanties, have a parrot called Birdbrain for a pet and their house looks more like a ship. Billy longs for a normal life. When his mums join the class trip to the seaside – and arrive dressed up as pirates – he wants to hide until they have the most amazing day out on the High Seas.

Children have always loved pirates (although the reality was much closer to Captured!, reviewed below) and these two zany mums are the perfect pair to celebrate difference and the joy of not being ‘ordinary’. For 4+

Theodore loves to collect fish and his room is full of tanks of the glittering, shimmering fishes he has found. When he is out in his boat one day he discovers a beautiful little creature in his net and he just has to have her for his collection, despite the booming voice he hears, telling him that she belongs to the ocean. This modern- day fairy tale, tells how the sad little creature fades away until Theodore returns her to the ocean where she becomes a little mermaid to remind us that we must all take care of creatures everywhere. For 5+

Stella and the Seagull by Georgina Stevens, illustrated by Izzy Burton, published by Oxford

not to use plastic straws or helium balloons and they have a wonderful party. Children have already made a difference in driving environmental change as a list of facts at the end of the book reveals. For 5+

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith, published by Walker Books

I’m not mad about seagulls myself, but the hero of this story is rather appealing. She brings Stella and her Granny all sorts of little scavenged gifts until one day they find her on the beach looking very poorly. The vet explains that she has eaten too much plastic left on the beach and it has made her sick. So, what to do to help?

They decide on a Beach Clean Party and put posters up all over town. They write letters persuading companies

When a boy who stutters feels isolated and incapable of communicating in the way he'd like, he says his words “whirl, churn, and crash” like a river does. So, his kindly father takes him on a walk by a river to help him find his voice. Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly, based on his own childhood experience, and it is beautifully illustrated by Greenaway Medallist Sydney Smith.

Tragedy at Sea: the Sinking of the Titanic by David Long, illustrated by Stefano Tambanelli, published by Barrington Stoke Barrington Stoke have been specialising in exciting stories for dyslexic children for many years, using cream paper and a clear font. Anyone fascinated by the story of the Titanic will be gripped by this vivid retelling. Even though most children will know the tragic ending, it is full of drama and there are vivid character sketches of both the well-known figures and the innocent passengers caught up in the rapid sinking of the supposedly indestructible liner. For 7+

Captured! The Incredible True Story of Thomas Pellow by Craig Green, illustrated by Oliver Hurst, published by Mabecron Books

Falmouth, 1715 and young Tommy Pellow is desperate to go to sea and have adventures. But on the journey back across the Bay of Biscay his ship runs into pirates, who steal people, not treasure. He is washed up on the Moroccan coast and is sold into slavery.

After many years working for the Sultan he escapes and makes his way home to find his old mother at last. No one in Falmouth can believe that the man in a turban is the boy they once knew. An incredible and true story of reverse slavery – reminding us of a fate that befell many Cornish sailors, most of whom never saw Cornwall again.

For 7+

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud, published by Walker

Jonathan Stroud’s latest novel is set in a dystopian England which is awash with water. London is a lagoon and the swollen Thames carries Albert and Scarlett through towns familiar to us but now fortified and beleaguered, where people cower in terror. Lots of exciting adventures lie ahead for the brave pair, who dare to venture out and explore.

Stroud is a wonderful story-teller for 10+ readers, and I highly recommend Lockwood and Co and the Bartimaeus series.

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Frugi Indian Art Competition Gallery of our favourite entries

Frugi and BlackbirdPie creative competition winners!

There were three age groups - under 5s, ages 5 to 7 & 8 to 10.

We love Frugi! Based in Helston.

Gorgeous designs. Organic. Fab!!

Their richly colourful new collection, influenced by India and full of wonderful elephants, crocodiles and exotic birds, has inspired our latest creative competition.

Peacock Esme 8

Amelia (6) and her Big Cat Theatre

Matthew (4) with his Indian Collage

Check out the Frugi’ India range at welovefrugi

Rainbow Lion Aimee 2

Tribal Mask Layla 6

Peacock Hattie 4

Aimee (2) preparing her entry

Painted Rock Lexé 10

Dress Amber 7

Patterned Elephant Lexilee 6

Big Cat Puppet Theatre Aimee 6

Himalayas Isaac 5

Monkey and Animals Bo 9 Rickshaw Rupert 4 (just)

Map of India Jack 5.6

3D Peacock Lottie 4

Butterfly and Caterpillar Lola 7

Girl and Elephant Izzy 7 Illuminated Letter Elephant by Lara 9

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Kernow Health and Foster in Cornwall

With new variants coming into circulation it can be confusing keeping up to date with the latest guidance, to know how to protect yourself and know what to do if you are unwell. It is extremely important to follow trusted sources of information and the UK Government and the NHS provide frequently updated advice:

Coughs and sneezes spread diseases!

• The UK coronavirus (COVID-19) page will keep you in touch with how the Government is responding.

• The NHS coronavirus (COVID-19) page, includes a wide range of healthrelated information.

• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice page if you are planning on travel.

• The Public Health England or The Department of Health and Social Care social media pages for regular updates.

It’s been a long journey through the pandemic and there are rising COVID-19 cases across Cornwall. The team at Kernow Health CIC have some helpful tips.

If you do feel unwell with symptoms of COVID-19, it is incredibly important to self-care at home by doing the following:

Summertime is here and – unfortunately (still!) – so is COVID-19. Here at Kernow Health CIC we have been bolstering our service so we are ready to provide advice and care to those in need during this difficult time.

For treating a high temperature • Get lots of rest • Drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so

your pee is light yellow and clear • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable To treat a cough • It is best to avoid lying on your back. Lie on your side or sit upright instead.

• Try having a teaspoon of honey to help a cough. But do not give honey to babies under 12 months.

• If this does not help, you could contact a pharmacist or 111 for advice about cough treatments.

At Kernow Health CIC, our aim is to provide the people of Cornwall with the right healthcare, by the right person at the right time. As such, in addition to the above advice, we want to reiterate the importance of calling 111 or accessing 111 online if you need advice or if you have fallen unwell. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so if you are feeling unwell and need advice – Think 111!

Are you ready?

Every 20 minutes a young person comes into care and needs to be placed with a foster family in the UK. In Cornwall that means nearly 500 children and young people are in care at any given time. Cornwall Council’s Together for Families works tirelessly to help every single child in its care to thrive and reach their full potential.

There are many reasons why children need foster care - illness in the family

might mean a child can’t be looked after at home for a short while, or a longerterm issue means they need care in a stable and nurturing environment for an extended period of time.

Covid 19 has added extra pressure to existing foster caring situations. Last year Cornwall Council put out a successful call to people across Cornwall, including its own employees, for temporary carers if existing carers were suddenly unable to look after children in their care.

However, there is a still shortage of foster carers, as fostering service manager Julie Goodwin explained:

‘We have truly amazing carers in Cornwall but there are fewer new carers coming forward, so if you’ve got the time and you are ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.’

Are you ready to make a difference to a child’s life by fostering? Then it is time to act. Cornwall Council urgently needs foster carers from all walks of life to reflect the diversity of the children in their care, especially if you could take on a sibling group.

For more information visit www.adoptincornwall.co.uk or www.fosterincornwall.co.uk and book a call.

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