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Cornwall's What's On for Families - Autumn Update
Covid-19 Lockdown November 2020
Resources available to families: Bored in lockdown?
Cornwall Libraries always have something to read or listen to for FREE from a massive library of eBooks and eAudiobooks with BorrowBox. Try my all-time favourite The House at Pooh Corner read by Bernard Cribbens or maybe the children's classic Charlotte's Web, read by E.B. White himself. More information on BorrowBox
eat, sleep and play.
Click here
We visited the brilliant Kids Cornwall Yoga last year and reviewed one of their magical yoga story parties. You can join in wonderful story sessions for younger children and sessions for ages 8+ on link
activities and links to historic film clips.
Create Eden wherever you are with the Eden Project’s free resources and ideas for everyone at link
The ice-rink will hopefully be open from 3 December. In the meantime, glean some skating tips
link
and watch what the penguins are
getting up to in lockdown….
Click here
Tate Kids – a great selection of Arty games and makes on
link
Cornwall’s amazing Little Story Seekers is a weekly story, song, movement & craft session for very young children and their grown ups, created by The Writers' Block.
home. Watch some of Newquay Zoo’s charming animals
link
Bodmin Keep’s new bi-monthly learning resource called ‘Keep Kids!’ which is full of interesting facts,
link
or see 19 October
Click here
Book Trust have lots of lovely FREE interactive books to read along with a narrator online or watch with signing. There are classic stories including Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd. You can also watch the storytime playlist on YouTube read by Ore Oduba, Adam Buxton, Fearne Cotton and many more. Plus free, fun kids' games to enjoy online
link
link Audible has loads of free children’s and teens’ audio stories to download from
link
BBC Bitesize has lots of educational activities and games for children aged 3-11.
link
. There are
also arts and craft ideas to enjoy as a family. link
Science Museum Online science games
link
Creative ways to play outside this autumn and winter www.verywellfamily.com
is American but
has some excellent suggestions – here are 15 we think sound really good:
Blow bubbles using DIY recipes and homemade blowers
Make mud pies. Who can make the fanciest creation? Sing as loud and as quietly as you can.
link
Have a nature scavenger hunt. Look for pinecones, acorns, and other common outdoor items. Who found the most pieces?
Is it getting dark outside? Play hide and seek with flashlights (and partners if you have little ones).
So many things to do with hoops – good way to
Build paper airplanes. Who can make theirs fly the farthest?
keep warm and have fun outdoors.
link Search for bugs.
Play Follow the Leader with toddlers
link
Draw a hopscotch board with chalk. How far you can walk in 5, 10, 15 mins? How far can you hop? Make and fly your own kites Set up a canvas and let your little ones paint. (less mess to clean up outside). Film a home movie.
Make homemade bird feeders out of pinecones, peanut butter, and seeds.
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Editors' letter Contents and Introduction to our NEW virtual version of BlackbirdPie
Contents: What's On generally for families in Cornwall Advice from Kernow Health Tate St Ives Newquay Zoo Calendar of events Theatre Shows Hallowe'en fun Ice skating at Eden Book review - Books for Babies Special Offers: Halloweek at Camel Creek Paradise Park Via Feratta - face your fears
Quick guide to finding your way around the magazine
Letter from the editors Welcome to the NEW virtual version of BlackbirdPie. We have been working hard to bring you this issue and hope you enjoy the experience. If you find anything that does not work or is incorrect please let us know Vanessa, Simon and the Blackbird post@blackbirdpie.co.uk
Disclaimer, Privacy etc.
01326 314242
When you view the new virtual BlackbirdPie please tell us, are you using: Desk-top computer Lap-top Tablet Mobile 'phone ? See results
#YouCanAdopt
To visit previous issues of BlackbirdPie click on the cover
>>>
Could you change a child’s life forever? A new nationwide campaign, #YouCanAdopt, is being supported by Cornwall Council to dispel myths
around who is eligible to adopt and encourage more people to consider adoption. The number of adoptions in England has fallen by a third in four years but almost 3,000 children in England are still waiting to find their new family. In Cornwall, that equates to 22 children currently waiting for forever families.
Research shows that many adults have considered adoption but 43% of people in the South West admit they do not know if they are eligible to adopt and 32% think they wouldn’t be able to. The new campaign aims to increase the number of people taking the first steps towards adopting a child.
Concillor Sally Hawken, Cabinet Member for Children & Wellbeing, Cornwall Council said: “We know that lots of people think about adopting but wonder whether they might be eligible and so don’t take that all-important
first step. “Hopefully this new campaign will convince them to come and talk to us and dispel those myths. There are children locally and nationally from all backgrounds waiting for forever homes and that’s why we need people from all walks of life to come forward and help us to give them the love and care that every child needs to thrive, whatever their background.” If you’re interested in finding out more, please call 01872 322 200 or visit www.adoptincornwall.co.uk
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Newquay Zoo
NEWQUAY ZOO is closed again due to the latest Covid-19 regulations, and really needs your help at this difficult time. Please, please help by donating what you can to the support fund.
The money helps care for the animals, who eat top quality food and have specialist diets to keep them fit and healthy. The dedicated keepers and expert vets continue to do everything they can to care for the animals to the very highest standards, day in, day out.
Being closed again is leading to another significant loss of income for the charity. They desperately need help to get through this time, so that hopefully they can e-open later this year. Donations go straight towards the care of the animals. You can also donate via text - to donate £10, simply text NZOO to 70085. Texts will cost £10 plus one standard network message rate.
Just a short walk from the town centre, Newquay Zoo is a visitor attraction and conservation charity where you can get up close to many animal favourites, including lions, lynx, lemurs, zebras, otters, red pandas, meerkats, penguins and much more.
Discover endangered species… Set in 13 acres of lovely grounds, the zoo is fortunate to be home to many rare, endangered species, including pied tamarins, Sulawesi crested macaques, Visayan warty pigs, swift parrots, ring-tailed lemurs and Javan green magpies to name a few. Autumn is also a wonderful time to visit and enjoy some quality time outdoors.
Try and spot the zoo babies…
Try and spot the zoo babies…
out and about and growing in confidence as they get older, bringing extra joy to a zoo visit for all ages.
This year Newquay Zoo has welcomed a tapir calf, red panda cub, pademelon joey, Owston’s civet kitten, black-necked swan cygnets, crowned lemur infant and twin armadillos. 2020 so far has seen a huge baby boom at the zoo!
Which is your favourite Zoo Baby? Red Panda Kids can run wild while adults relax and recharge… To fuel any zoo adventure, the Café Lemur and Lazy Lion Grill outlets at the zoo are serving takeaway food and drink – perfect for grabbing a spot of lunch, delicious cake or hot beverage. Children can also let off some steam in the two outdoor play areas situated at both ends of the site.
Many of these young animals are now
See next page for animal videos
>>>
Dusky Pademelon Crowned Lemur Armadillo Tapir See results
Coronavirus information…
Click here for a video link
Baby Red Panda
Newquay Zoo has worked hard to ensure that it is a safe place to visit. Please note that some parts of the zoo may be closed for guest safety. Guests are advised to visit the website before they visit to see all of the safety measures in place at the time. Updates
Currently all guests, including Annual Pass holders, must pre-book an entry day and time slot online in advance of their visit.
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Via Ferrata Climbing, High Ropes & Zip Wire Adventure
Get 10% off by using this discount code: BBP10 BF Adventure has installed a Via Ferrata ―an 'Iron Stairway'― a protected climbing route, built with a steel cable rail fixed to the rock, metal steps, ladders, suspension bridges and a zip wire around and across two of the quarries on the BF Adventure site.
Read on for current information:
Via Ferrata Cornwall Via Ferrata will be open to group bookings after 2 December, enquires to hello@viaferratacornwall.co.uk In the meantime why not treat your loved ones to a Via Ferrata gift voucher for Christmas? Perfect for adrenalin junkies aged 8+
30th & 31st Oct @ 17:00, 17:30 & 18:00 Halloween Adventure Zone
(1 – 1.5 hrs) for families with kids aged 8+ This Halloween-themed course starts
off at ground level and teaches you the basic skills of Via Ferrata before you face the challenge of the ultimate High Wire Bridge, crossing the quarry on a 70m long single strand of wire. As if this isn't normally challenging enough, you'll also be tasked with fishing for pumpkins at height!
30th & 31st Oct @ 19:00 Halloween Full Classic
(2.5 – 3 hrs) – for those aged 13+ For those brave enough, we have an even creepier experience, including all of the Halloween Adventure Zone, as well as the full Via Ferrata and zip-line in the larger quarry! You’ll get to tackle higher challenges and conquer your fears as you journey through our quarries in the dark, with only head torches to guide the way! This unique tour pushes your senses on the ultimate adventure.
26th - 30th Oct @ 09:30 & 13:30 Via Ferrata by day Our Via Ferrata will run every day of the half term (both the Adventure Zone for adventurous kids aged 8+ and the Full Classic tour for those
aged 10+). It’s just as much fun for adults too! On top of this, there'll be a Halloween-themed menu at our onsite Cafe!
Win a £50 voucher! Enter our pumpkin contest! Carve your most scary pumpkin and bring it in (open from 24th to 31st October inclusive). Entrants will receive a free Halloween biscuit and the winning prize is a £50 Via Ferrata voucher!
Parental Support Children must be accompanied by adults in accordance with our supervision policy, check out the section ‘Can Children participate alone?’ under our FAQs. To book see the next page
>>>
Profits to charity All profits go to charity BF Adventure, which supports local vulnerable children and young people facing some of life’s toughest challenges. As well as pushing your own limits, you’ll be helping others to overcome their own challenges too!
Book now! Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. For full details, click here. To book Via Ferrata by day, click here and to book an evening Halloween session, click here.
Use the discount code BBP10 to get 10% off! Brace yourselves for one ghostly journey!
Link to video of Via Ferrata
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Tate St Ives Barbara Hepworth Museum
Tate St Ives and The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
Behind the Scenes - please read on
Lockdown update: Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Musuem and Sculpture Garden are closed in line with the latest guidance. They plan to reopen on Wednesday 2 December. Exhibition and Collection Route tickets are still bookable and can be booked from 2 December up to 31 December 2020. Tickets in to 2021 to be released soon. Sign up to Membership for priority booking or to emails to be first to hear about future ticket releases.
Behind the Scenes
The garden is like an oasis
Meet Jodi Dickinson, the gardener at the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Museum and Garden in St Ives
Jodi Dickinson, from Scorrier, the gardener at the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Museum and Garden in St Ives
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You step into the garden and it's like a little oasis here in the middle of St Ives. You wouldn't know it was here unless you come in through the building. It's a beautiful little garden; Hepworth herself described it as 'a sort of magic'. It really does have a special atmosphere and feeling about the place. © Bowness. Photo © Kirstin Prisk "During lockdown I continued to work and it was very quiet, very peaceful. Just the seagulls here for company and the wood pigeons. It was quite strange walking to work in the morning through the streets of St Ives, which are normally bustling with people.
This was her home, this is where she lived and worked.
© Bowness. Photo © Kirstin Prisk
This is where she made sculptures, she had her carving yard and sculptures were taken to be sold all around the world.
that Hepworth had. Obviously, the garden grows or the trees grow. We have eight mature trees in the garden now. And they're all 50 years older than when Hepworth died. So this creates a massive different atmosphere in the garden and a different feel to the planting and it changes what we're able to grow. Hepworth had a lot of full sun plants and now it has changed into what's more of a woodland garden. To counterbalance that we keep the trees quite thinned out to maintain light levels. The garden's in pretty good shape so I'm looking forward to welcoming the public back so that they can enjoy it again as Barbara Hepworth wanted. © Bowness. Photo © Kirstin Prisk So all the sculptures are as she left them and the plants are where she planted them. Hepworth had quite a refined taste in plants I think. She certainly kept her colour palette restricted: it is mainly pinks through to kind of blues which adds to the calm feeling. She used a lot of evergreen plants as a nice backdrop to the sculptures.
© Bowness. Photo © Tate Tate works with the Hepworth Estate to come up with a management plan for the garden which mainly centres around maintaining historical authenticity. We strive to maintain the same atmosphere and feeling and the same sight lines
For visiting details and other activities, please read on >>>
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, a short walk from each other in St Ives. New safety measures are in place and you'll need to book your joint visit to both museums in advance tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives Have a go at making your own sculptures with fun soap carving. See the Tate St Ives How-to video by clicking here Soap-carving
© Bowness. Photo © Kirstin Prisk Barbara Hepworth was one of the most important artists of the 20th century. She moved to St Ives at the outbreak of the second world war and lived and worked there until her death in 1975. You can buy a joint ticket to Tate St Ives and the
Cornwall resident? Don't forget the £5 annual Locals Pass gets you unlimited year round entry to both museums Tate.org.uk/stives
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Camel Creek is now CLOSED under government guidelines however the All wrapped up Christmas event will be announced soon!
Camel Creek Adventure Park is delighted to announce that from the 24 October there will be Spooktacular Halloween events and Monster Minions will be visiting! The team are so excited to have them at Camel Creek for the first time!
The Monster Minions will be appearing intervals on the 26 & 27 October: 11.30, 12.30, 2, 3 & 4pm
Things are about to get even stranger as a spell has been cast over the adventure park and unearthed some hair-raising attractions...
Will you dare to visit? From the Witch’s Grotto, to tricks and treats, free pumpkins* and daily competitions there is something for everyone.
In addition to all the Halloween attractions, all mechanical rides will be open (weather permitting). To book your tickets and save 10% using code ONLINE10 visit – camelcreek.co.uk *Pumpkins will be available for all children while stocks last
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What's on / off for families autumn 2020
To skip to our What's On sections please click on one of the boxes below:
Theatre Outdoor play Hallowe'en
Also visit our special features on:
Newquay Zoo Barbara Hepworth Museum / Tate St Ives
Lockdown updates:
Museums Lappa Valley Steam Railway is closed until the Santa Specials start on Saturday 5th December. Meet Santa in his grotto, where there is a present for every child. Take a nostalgic steam train ride through the wooded valley into Lappa and find lots of festive fun. 5 and 6 December, 12 and 13 December and 19-24 December CLICK HERE TO BOOK Celebrity Appearances
All aboard a nostalgic steam train journey into Lappa Valley. Enjoy balloon modelling, music from the traditional fairground organ, rides on the Woodland Railway, seasonal refreshments and visit Santa in his new (socially-distanced) grotto for 2020!
The Keep, Bodmin is currently closed in line with Covid-19 lockdown the museum will be closed to the public from 5 November 2020 for the duration of lockdown. Please check for updates on reopening. The museum will be closed for the whole of January and re-opening with a bang (!) in February. In the meantime take a look at the Online Museum shop with a fantastic range of gifts, souvenirs, books and philanthropic purchases. Do check out the Learning resources page to help with home learning or to keep you entertained on winter evenings plus you can still explore the historic building with
the online tour.
Penlee House Penlee House is temporarily closed in accordance with government guidelines. They have been creating short films to help everyone be creative and enjoy the collections at home. Click for link….. Their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages are full of facts and creative challenges.
NMMC will be temporarily closed and Monsters of the Deep will go back into hibernation. They will reopen as soon as they are able.
PK Porthcurno will be closed until they are able to reopen. Stay tuned to their social media channels for news and stories.
The Box, Plymouth Tickets for December are still available via the Plan Your Visit page and they’ll be continuing to monitor the situation and provide regular updates. The team will be sharing content about the collections, galleries and exhibitions via digital channels throughout lockdown.
Falmouth Art Gallery will be closed until, hopefully, 3 December
Paradise Park plan to reopen on 3 December. WINTER SUPPORT FUND – help! They are doing everything to reduce costs and apply for funding, but your support, either financial or via the Amazon Wish List will play a vital role in getting the Park through the winter months. It costs over £46,000 a month for animal care at the Park
including food and vet bills, staff wages, habitat enrichment, water and electricity. Please donate https://paradisepark.org.uk/supportus/donations/
Pendennis Castle Pendennis Castle is currently closed but will hopefully reopen on 3 December for pre-booked visits. From Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December English Heritage will be keeping a selection of sites open for local visitors and Members. These sites all have large outdoor spaces, and they can be opened in a way that protects the health of all visitors, staff and volunteers. There are additional safety measures in place at all these sites including social distancing, enhanced cleaning and limits on visitor numbers. You will need to book in advance in order to visit. To find out which sites are open, how to book tickets and what to
expect when you visit see https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/visit-south-west/
Eden Project is now closed until Thursday 3 December Create Eden wherever you are with our free resources and ideas for everyone at home like this one: https://www.edenproject.com/learn/foreveryone/how-to-make-a-recycledmarble-run
Bodmin Jail is closed until 2nd December
Flambards closed for the winter
Minack Squashbox 14 Nov cancelled. There are shows planned for Christmas including A Christmas Carol and Squashbox.
Celebrity appearances An exciting diary of special events is taking place at Lappa Valley this Autumn.
Starting with everybody's favourite bear and the worlds biggest marmalade sandwich fan, Paddington Bear™, who will be appearing at intervals in the events marquee on Tuesday 27th & Wednesday 28th October.
The grand fireworks display on the 31st October will be thrilling as ever as you have the opportunity to experience the magic of Lappa at dusk. Hot and cold food and drinks will be available for purchase as well as alcoholic beverages. As we near the magical time of year, we are thrilled that Santa at Lappa Valley is nearly here! On the 5, 6. 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 December you can board the steam train for a magical journey through deep woodlands before you visit Santa in his new grotto for 2020! To maintain social distancing, all of the aforementioned events are for pre-booking only which can be done online www.lappavalley.vticket.co.uk
Click for Monster Minions
Museums: Penlee House is open for visitors! All visits to Penlee House need to be pre-booked and there are details on how to enjoy the Gallery safely on the website.
The current exhibition is Newlyn School Interiors and during half term, they’ll be giving away FREE activity packs for children to use in the gallery (while stocks last). At the moment, they’re not able to run the usual Saturday family activities, but there are a load of fun creative activities on the website including short films to help everyone be creative and enjoy the collections at home. Some are designed for little ones - Tick Tock Time and some are for older children and adults. The Gallery's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are full of facts and creative challenges too LINK
Bodmin Keep Where’s Wally? Spooky Search at Bodmin Keep 26 - 30 October! This Halloween, Wally, the world’s favourite children’s book character will be hiding. Search for Wally amongst the collections, spell out a spooky phrase with hidden letters and receive a special “I found Wally!” bookmark and the chance to enter the Kids in Museums grand prize draw to win an ArtFund Family Membership and a bundle of Where’s Wally? goodies. There are also some fascinating new museum objects to see up close and a spooky family activity pack to take home. You can visit Bodmin Keep Army Museum in a group of up to 6 people (from no more than 2 households). Booking is easy, just go to www.bodminkeep.org
A family
ticket is just £16 (2 adults and 4 children), and we are dog friendly too!
National Maritime Museum Cornwall Discovery Quay, Falmouth Monsters of the Deep exhibition runs until January 2022.
A show packed with marvels.” The Times
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Take a deep breath and plunge down to the dark murky depths of the ocean and discover the monsters that lurk beneath. Are there krakens with tentacles two miles long and giant sharks as big as skyscrapers?
Explore the centuries-old myths and legends, when chance sightings and odd appearances led to tall tales of deep sea creatures. Learn how, even today, these stories continue to
capture imaginations, fuelled by fake news and conspiracy theories. Become a 19th century pioneer scientist aboard HMS Challenger and advance our understanding of the sea. Handle real objects, try out the microscopes and understand what it felt like to be an explorer aboard a floating laboratory. Progress to the modern day and discover how today’s scientists explore the seas aboard submersibles, going deeper and further into uncharted waters. Get lost amongst specially selected specimens, the real monsters of the deep – more beautiful and fantastical than any of us could have imagined.
www.nmmc.co.uk
Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications FREE entry for 2020 and Dog Friendly! Discover a museum experience that explores the amazing story of our interconnected world, and how a tranquil valley in Cornwall became host to the past, present and future of worldwide communications. Go underground and explore the top-secret bunker that hid the Porthcurno Telegraph Station in World War II. pkporthcurno.com
Falmouth Art Gallery and the newly re-opened Royal Cornwall Museum
The Council decided to use the money to start a fund to buy artworks from well-known artists to see if they would gift or sell a piece of work at a reduced price in order to loan them out to
Cornwall Council Schools Art Collection is on display at Falmouth Art Gallery until 14 November and its sister exhibition is on display at the newly re-opened Royal Cornwall Museum until 31 December. For timed ticketed visits please book through
The Box is Plymouth’s new £46 million cultural destination, A museum, gallery and archive. A cafe, shop and bar. The Box is a treasure trove to explore, with activities and learning opportunities for curious children of all ages. www.theboxplymouth.com
Explore amazing artwork and fascinating objects with children Learn about Plymouth and the creatures that once lived here. Create something inspired by what
you’ve discovered. Explore the galleries together using Family Trails which can be collected safely at the Welcome Desk, or view and download onto your device. The I Wonder Programme will begin in 2021 - Sessions will be every Thursday during school terms for children aged six months to four years and carers. The sessions will introduce children to The Box, artworks and objects, and encourage them to make creations to take home. Sessions are pre-booked on a half termly basis.
schools so that schoolchildren could interact with and learn from them. It’s a gem of a collection including Jacob Epstein’s a small bronze sculpture of his beloved sheepdog; Barbara Hepworth donated her own Alfred Wallis as well as a print and two sculptures and persuaded her
www.falmouthartgallery.com and
royalcornwallmuseum
This impressive collection consists of artworks originally acquired from locally and internationally renowned artists for the educational benefit of all school children in Cornwall and was begun in 1961 following an anonymous donation of money to what was then Cornwall County Council with a note attached reading ‘To help primary school funds’.
husband, Ben Nicholson, their son Simon and Ben’s daughter Kate, by his first marriage to donate works too. Other notable artists include Leonard Fuller, Alethea Garstin, Patrick Heron, Bernard Leach, Janet Leach, Alexander MacKenzie, Lionel Miskin, Denis Mitchell, Dod Proctor, John Milne, John Wells, Wilhelmina BarnsGraham, Patrick Hayman, Bryan Wynter and many more.
Hallowe'en For more special events please see the calendar and these pages:
Via Feratta face your fears Camel Creek Halloweek Acorn Spooky Theatre Shadows and Shivers Victorian "Who Dunnit" Mystery
Flambards
Half Term Family fun at Paradise Park in Hayle Follow the Halloween pumpkin trail as you creep around the Park to win your spooky reward! Look out for some fun Halloween enrichment for the birds and animals. Spot the new species, including beautiful orange-billed Toco Toucans and the extraordinary Dracula Parrot. Online booking essential. Save £1.50 off per person by using code PIE20 at the ‘checkout’ stage when booking your tickets and arrival time slot
here
and when
you visit this Half Term you can buy a RETURN TICKET for just £2 per person (normal price £4.25) for another visit before 21st March 2021!
NEW at Paradise Park Pesquet's Parrot
Pesquet's parrot is also known as the Dracula parrot or as the vulturine parrot! This unusual fruit-eating species from New Guinea is classed as Vulnerable in the wild. We currently have two males and hope to introduce females in future.
Eden Project’s spooky but safe Halloween experience
Embark on an autumn adventure at Pendennis Castle There are centuries of history to uncover, breath-taking coastal views and don’t miss the Spooky Pendennis Castle event this half-term! 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov. Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out. Follow the trail to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. There is a frighteningly fun fancy dress competition every day so come in your scariest outfits. With tales of creaking footsteps and menacing creatures, Pendennis Castle has long had a reputation for ghostly happenings.
Swoop by and sink your teeth into this Halloween adventure for all the family.
Book your visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/ pendennis
rink returns for the season on 17 October. With significantly reduced numbers of skaters on the ice, you’ll be able to enjoy more space to yourselves than ever before. Online booking essential for visits & skating. As well as an ice skating ticket, skaters also need a valid form of Eden admission, and a pre-booked timed entry slot. www.edenproject.com
Take a magical and mysterious journey around Eden this October half-term, 17 Oct – 1 November. Discover the secrets and folklore behind the ‘boo’-tiful plants that line the pathways of the gardens and Biomes, and follow a spooky story trail and meet some bewitching birds of the night from the Screech Owl Sanctuary. Why not dress up in your most fiendish fancy dress costumes? Enjoy a spine-chilling spin on the magical ice-rink - The glittering ice
General skating: A 40-minute skating session for skaters of any age and ability. You can hire out a special skating aid to give that extra stability to young children. Family fun skate: A 40-minute family focussed skating
session for parents with young children (12 and under), including free use of skating aids. These take place on Sunday mornings 9am, 10am and 11am – plus additional sessions during holiday periods. Ice skating lessons and sessions for school groups available.
The Bodmin Jail Attraction has reopened After a £8.5m redevelopment there is a truly immersive and interactive Halloween treat for half-term. Families can brave the brand-new Dark Walk - a major addition to Bodmin Jail and the first of its kind in the region – which combines state-of-the-art technology with Cornwall’s most haunting histories. Stories of Cornwall’s murky past are retold transporting visitors to life within the walls of the 18th century prison and into the gritty reality of smuggling, mining and the everyday hardships of the jail’s most infamous prisoners.
Dating back to 1779 when the former prison was built for King George III as a grim dungeon for some of the UK’s most heinous criminals, Bodmin Jail is where Halloween gets real. No pretending, no made up ghost stories and no doubting the presence of those that have walked the jail before – the spine-tingling thrills and gruesome tales are all genuine. The Dark Walk experience is open every day. 10am – last entry 4.20pm. 8 years+ advisory. From £15 per adult and £12.50 per child. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.bodminjail.org
Flambards, Helston throughout half-term (Saturday, 24 October – Sunday, 1 November). Have an eerie adventure in the Victorian Village – follow the Who Dunnit Mystery Trail to discover which of the village’s colourful cast of characters
committed the crime. Immerse yourself in perfectly preserved shops filled with thousands of 19th century artefacts.
Hunt high and low through the fifty different sets and scenes on a spooky pumpkin trail and quiz. Then enjoy thrilling adventures in the Big Ride Zone and experience Britain in the Blitz. Most of the rides and attractions are open, tickets must be booked online www.flambards.co.uk
Outdoor Play
Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, Nr. Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5JZ Web
www.trebah-garden.co.uk
In accordance with the latest national lockdown, Trebah Garden is closed and they will not be taking any future bookings until the end of lockdown has been announced. They hope to reopen on Saturday 5 December.
Trebah Garden From Acers to Oaks, there’s plenty of autumn colour to be enjoyed at Trebah this time of year. Soak in all this season has to offer whilst traversing the garden paths, exploring our woodland play areas or relaxing on our private beach. Afterwards, warm up with a delicious meal or a tasty light bite at Trebah Kitchen.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust Sadly all the delightful family Wildlife Watch events and activities have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, however they own / manage over 57 nature reserves across Cornwall which are free to the public and are wonderful places to explore with children.
granite boulders, to the left of the top path is an abandoned water filled quarry. At the valley base are the remains of granite structures built as a gunpowder mills in the early 19th century. The river Kennall with its little waterfalls, runs through the valley where the waterwheels were used to power the mills. Atmospheric in the autumn and winter.
National Trust Autumn walks
by Nanny Pat, Bosinver Farm Cottages
Our favourite is Kennall Vale Nature Reserve, Ponsanooth, Truro, set in a beautiful ancient woodland valley. Scattered with enormous, moss covered
Autumn is one of the best seasons to explore the countryside and coastline across Cornwall as the light changes, creating colourful landscapes awaiting discovery. Wrap up warm, get outdoors and tackle some of the Trust’s favourite and free walking routes. autumn-walks-in-cornwall
English Heritage: The South West Coast Path walking trail runs right around the peninsula and there's plenty to explore away from the coastline too. From mysterious stone circles and burial chambers of ancient Britons at
Chysauster and Carn Euny, to Iron Age settlements, Norman castles and wild moorlands, Cornwall is a great place with history.
..english-heritage...cornwall/
Theatre Acorn Theatre, Penzance 01736 363545 www.theacornpenzance.com Squashbox Theatre Shivers and Shadows
Saturday 24 October – 2 & 7pm, Tickets: adults £8/children £5 Advance Craig, your friendly host, has just inherited a creepy mansion from his Great Uncle Vladimir. Join him as he explores the mansion’s secrets and meets some of its strange and spooky inhabitants. What ghouls and spectres haunt the gloomy corridors of this old house? What are those eerie shapes moving through the dark forest outside and what mysterious creature lurks in the cellar down below? Expect an overflowing cauldron of a show, brimming with delightful frights and hilarious horrors, bubbling with ingenious puppetry and comedy, seasoned with scary stories and tall tales, flavoured with live music and songs, and topped with a sprinkling of slapstick and silliness. Warning: like all Squashbox performances, this show will be full of laughter, excitement and fun… but it will be scary too! Expect loud noises, creepy characters and a spooky
atmosphere – plus a few surprises that might make you JUMP! Recommended for brave children aged 6+ (accompanied by their scaredy-cat grown-ups)
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno advance booking only www.minack.com
25 - 28 Oct at 11am and 2pm: Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Adults £20 / Under 16 £10 We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it’s time to prepare
yourselves for this very special production of Horrible Histories live on stage! Can you beat battling Boudicca? Would you be a martyr for the Magna Carta? Will you lose your heart or head to horrible Henry VIII? Will Parliament survive gunpowder Guy? Dare you stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin? Escape the clutches of Burke and Hare and move to the groove with party Queen Victoria! It’s the horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in – to entertain the whole family at halfterm!
Sunday 15 November Cancelled. Squashbox Theatre : The Seaside Show is 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!
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Kernow Health Flu Vaccines for Children
My last bulletin in Blackbird Pie was in February, before the world changed. It’s good to be back and to be part of this new edition of this fabulous magazine.
Maria Harvey, Head of Intergrated Community Care Services, Kernow Health CIC
Who would have thought we would be in the grip of a pandemic a few months ago. As serious as COVID 19 is it is vital we do not forget that other dangerous diseases are still out there. During lockdown our office team were working tirelessly, not just planning for our return to schools but also to look at how we could run immunisation clinics in the community while schools remained closed. With the help of Cornwall’s amazing rugby clubs, football clubs, village halls, sports clubs and a couple of schools, who gave their venues, time and incredible community spirit, we were able to run clinics all around Cornwall for secondary school-age pupils. I sometimes think the rest of the country looks at Cornwall as a pretty back-water, slightly behind the times with no internet (actually, the last bit is frustratingly true where I live) and not much in the way of innovative thinking. Not so! We were the first school-age immunisation team in England to restart clinics. You may have seen some of our nurses on Spotlight back in July. From 22nd June to 21st August
we administered nearly 5000 vaccines. A fantastic result.
Our nurses with David Saunter (Chair of Cornwall RFU) and the Spotlight Crew:
We are currently in primary schools to administer the nasal flu vaccine and for the first time year 7 children in secondary schools are included.
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years have the opportunity to be immunised, whether they attend mainstream schools, independent schools, special schools or are home-schooled. The flu vaccine is a very fine nasal spray given in each nostril. For some children this may not be suitable because of their health issues or health problems in the family. If this is the case, you can see your GP for an alternative. Remember, if your child is home-educated or is absent on the day the team go into your child’s school, we will be running catch-up clinics. Please contact the School Immunisation Team for more information or if you want to book your child into a clinic. We know some children can become very anxious about injections and they worry how they will react in front of their friends. Our excellent team of nurses are very experienced and will make your child as comfortable as possible. If your child is nervous, speak to the team beforehand they can guide you through the options.
A key part of the work we do at Kernow Health is delivering flu immunisations for primary school-age children on behalf of NHS England. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness; it is more than just a cold, so our nurses give the flu vaccines on-site at all Cornish schools. We also ensure that all children born in the relevant
We agree with The World Health Organisation! If you have any questions, please call the team on 01872 221105 they are always happy to help.
This is to prevent a flu epidemic or pandemic on top COVID. If you need any further information on this, please call us on 01872 221105 or email Kernowhealth.schoolimmunisation@nhs.net
Vaccination is one of the most costeffective health interventions available, saving millions of people from illness, disability and death each year’ The World Health Organisation
Keep safe and well!
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Calendar for October and November 2020 What's on at half-term
Please see the What's On / Off section for Lockdown updates
FREE entry for 2020 at the PK Porthcurno, Museum of Global Communications. pkporthcurno.com It is Dog Friendly too! Discover the amazing story of our interconnected world, and how a tranquil valley in Cornwall became host to the past, present and future of worldwide communications. Go underground and explore the top-secret bunker that hid the Porthcurno Telegraph Station in World War II. More...
Until 14 Nov and 31 Dec
Until January 2022
17 Oct to 21 Feb 2021
Cornwall Council Schools Art Collection at the newly re-opened Royal Cornwall Museum from 12 September – 31 December and its sister exhibition at Falmouth Art Gallery from 19 September – 14 November. A gem of a collection including Jacob Epstein, Barbara Hepworth, Alfred Wallis, Ben Nicholson, Patrick Heron, Bernard Leach and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.
National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Discovery Quay Falmouth Monsters of the Deep exhibition. Explore the centuries-old myths and legends, become a 19th century pioneer scientist aboard HMS Challenger and discover how today’s scientists explore the seas aboard submersibles into uncharted waters.
Enjoy a spin on the magical ice-rink Online booking essential for visits & skating.
More... Book a slot www.falmouthartgallery.com and
www.royalcornwall.org
More...
17 Oct – 1 Nov The Eden Project’s spooky but safe Halloween experience. Discover secrets and folklore behind ‘boo’-tiful plants in the gardens & Biomes, follow a spooky story trail and meet owls from the Screech Owl Sanctuary. Dress up in your most fiendish fancy dress costumes. More...
/ice-skating#book
From 19 October
24 October
Little Story Seekers - Story, song and movement YOUTUBE sessions for children aged 2-5 years and their parents and carers. FREE fortnightly, fun and interactive online video sessions based on story books and well known songs. No need to book, just tune in! Click on the link below:
2 & 7pm, Squashbox Theatre - Shivers and Shadows at the Acorn Theatre, Penzance 01736 363545 www.theacornpenzance.com advance booking only, adults £8/ children £5. Expect delightful frights, hilarious horrors, ingenious puppetry, scary stories, bangs, live music and songs. For brave children aged 6+ & scaredy-cat grown-ups
Half-term
24 Oct to 1 Nov Spooktacular Halloween events and Monster Minions at Camel Creek Adventure Park. Monster Minions will be appearing intervals on the 26 & 27 October: 11.30, 12.30, 2, 3 & 4pm. A spell has been cast over the adventure park and unearthed some hair-raising attractions... Will you dare to visit? From the Witch’s Grotto, to tricks and treats, free pumpkins, and daily competitions. All mechanical rides will be open (weather permitting). More... Book tickets, save 10% using code
Stories will be posted twice a month and will include new Cornish tales and ones from previous months the first Monday of the month September to December at 10am. Details from helen.reynolds@keap.org.uk
ONLINE10
camelcreek.co.uk
Half-term Family fun at Paradise Park in Hayle, with a Halloween pumpkin trail, spooky rewards, and Halloween enrichment for the birds and animals. More... Online booking essential, use code PIE20 to save £1.50 off per person paradisepark.org.uk PLUS this half-term buy a RETURN TICKET for just £2 per person Penlee House and Gallery in Penzance is open! This half term, they’ll be FREE activity packs for children to use in the gallery (while stocks last). More... Pre-booking essential.
Visit Spooky Pendennis Castle this half-term for a creepy clues trail and spooky stories. Come in your scariest outfits for the daily fancy dress competitions. More... Book your visit:
pendennis
Flambards, Helston. Have an eerie adventure in the Victorian Village this half-term – follow the Who Dunnit Mystery Trail to discover which of the village’s colourful cast of characters committed the crime. Take the spooky pumpkin trail and quiz. Most of the rides and attractions are open More...
The Bodmin Jail Attraction - an immersive and interactive Halloween treat for half-term. Brave the brandnew Dark Walk experience which combines state-of-the-art technology with stories of Cornwall’s murky past and the gritty reality of smuggling, mining and the everyday hardships of the jail’s most infamous prisoners. 10am – last entry 4.20pm. 8 years+ advisory. More... Book tickets, www.bodminjail.org
Tickets must be booked online www.flambards.co.uk
26, 27 & 28 Oct
26 to 30 Oct
Stuff, Noises & Voices - half-term creative writing activities. Whacky ways into writing, half-term creative sessions for children aged from 7-11, led by playwright and teacher Sarah Connors. 10 - 11am each day with fun things to do in between. £10 for all three sessions. book early
Join Via Ferrata Cornwall’s ultimate Halloween adventure with ghosts, pumpkins and spooky goings-on high up in the quarries. Book using BBP10 to get 10% off. Halloween-themed Via Ferrata all half term at 9.30am & 1.30pm.
thewritersblock These KEAP The Writers’ Block sessions will be held Online via Zoom.
25 - 28 Oct 11am and 2pm: Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain at the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, advance booking only www.minack.com Adults £20 / Under 16 £10. Horrible Histories live on stage! It’s the horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in... More...
Via Ferrata by night
30 & 31 Oct: Halloween Adventure Zone for families aged 8+, at 5, 5.30 & 6pm, learn Via Ferrata basic skills, then brave the ultimate High Wire Bridge, across the quarry on a 70m long single strand of wire and fish for pumpkins at height! At 7pm: Halloween Full Classic for age 14+, through the quarries in the dark, with only head torches to guide you! Competition - bring your scary pumpkin from 24 to 31 October, entrants get a free Halloween biscuit, the winning prize is a £50 Via Ferrata voucher. More...
26 to 30 Oct
27 & 28 Oct
Where’s Wally? Spooky Search at Bodmin Keep This Halloween, Wally, one of the world’s favourite children’s book characters will be hiding amongst the collections! Spell out a spooky phrase with hidden letters and receive a special “I found Wally!” bookmark and enter the Kids in Museums grand prize draw. There are fascinating new museum objects to see up close and a spooky family activity pack to take home.
Lappa Valley Steam Railway:
31 October
Thrilling grand fireworks display at Lappa Valley Steam Railway, experience the magic of Lappa at dusk, pre booking only www.lappavalley.vticket.co.uk
Cornwall's first ever drive-in fireworks event, Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. Simply drive in, park, buy food from vendors and watch the huge firework display from your car. Gates open 3 to 6pm, fireworks at 6.30pm
fireworkscornwall
15 November Sunday at 11am, Squashbox Theatre: The Seaside Show at the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, advance booking only
More...
www.minack.com/whats-on
Pre-book
.
Celebrate the sea with tall tales, silly slapstick, fantastic facts, live music and songs!
www.bodminkeep.org A family ticket is just £16 (2 adults and 4 children), and dogs are welcome.
Hallowe'en
1 November
the world’s biggest marmalade sandwich fan, Paddington BearTM, will be appearing at intervals in the events marquee. More...
More...
18 November
The Start of Christmas in Truro Celebrate the start of the festive season by going online to watch Truro’s first Virtual Christmas Lights Switch-on, streamed on Wednesday 18th November. See
visittruro.org.uk
for details.
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Percy Pengelly Cornwall's tightrope-walking chimney-sweep
Have you met Percy Pengelly? It’s a sad day when Percy Pengelly, the daring tightrope walker, has to say goodbye to the circus. He looks for a job where he can use his special skills, and eventually discovers a new life full of excitement and surprises.
And now Percy is back, reprinted in a larger edition, packed with Andy’s beautiful illustrations of familiar Cornish scenes and characters. Available from Amazon and local shops for £7.99, the book is guaranteed to become a firm family favourite.
Percy Pengelly and the Wibble-Wobble, by Jenny Steele Scolding and Andy McPherson, is a bestselling and much-loved Cornish tale for 3 to 7 yearolds. Children gasp at Percy’s circus acts, follow his giddy rooftop adventures, and witness an exciting lifeboat rescue at sea.
Look out too for the live-action production of Percy Pengelly and the Wibble-Wobble, performed in Percy’s Big Top by Cousin Jack’s theatre company, the creators of The Mousehole Cat stage show. Postponed from 2020, performances are planned to take place in spring, 2021. Further information from Serpentine Design, email: bill@serpentine-design.com
But that’s not all… keep your eyes peeled for Percy’s latest adventures in Percy Pengelly and Tumbili the Monkey, coming soon in 2021. Another beautifullyillustrated tale by the same team, this sequel features Percy and his friends – old and new – together with a tall ship, an escaped monkey and more jaw-dropping acrobatics.
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Blackbird Reads Books for Babies by Deborah Wright
Blackbird Reads Books for Babies by Deborah Wright When I wrote my first Book Review for Blackbird Pie back in 2003, my youngest was three, and the perfect age to be a ‘guinea pig’. Heloïse has helped me review many of the Blackbird Pie recommended books over the years.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
And now I’m starting again – this time with my first grandchild who is 10 months old. So I thought we’d begin our first issue since lockdown with a celebration of books for babies. And I can’t wait to read them all to little Ludo, because reading with a child is one of the great joys of life. There’s a mixture of the great classics, and some exciting new ones too. Little Baby's Busy Day
Little Baby’s Busy Day
Blackbird Reads
Books for Babies
You'll have to google suppliers but I really recommend this as a very first book for babies.
by Sally Symes, illustrated by Nick Sherratt, published by Walker
There are two brightly coloured farm animals on every cloth page, but the fun part is their tails, which stick out and are just waiting to be sucked and pulled.
Little Baby's Busy Day
Owl Babies
Farm Tails by Anne Wilkinson for Jellycat
They all have different textures and the crinkly pages make a great noise too. It’s a perfect introduction to the idea of turning a page and of course it’s indestructible. There’s also a Jungly Tails book.
early on with the things they do every day.
by Martin Waddell, published by Walker A ‘Finger Wiggle Book’ so you put your fingers in the two holes, making the baby’s legs wiggle-wiggle. It’s such fun to do and makes each page come to life. A brightly coloured board book - there are others in the series but I particularly like this one as babies can identify very
and this has been exacerbated during lockdown with mothers and babies literally locked in together for months. No classes, no being left with grandparents, no nurseries. As we all venture out, babies may well experience great separation anxiety. The three little Owl Babies are certainly fearful when their mother goes out hunting, and hugely reassured when she returns, as she promised. This classic may be exactly what babies need right now.
Babies and toddlers are often terrified when they are separated from their mothers
Please read on for more books:
Big Green Crocodile by Jane Newberry, illustrated by Carolina Rabei, published by Otter-Barry
One Cheetah, One Cherry by Jackie Morris, published by Otter-Barry
A large book full of rhymes and ideas for actions to play with your baby.
Peepo
A rocket zooms to the moon and a camel bumps in the sand. Exhausting but fun.
by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, published by Puffin
Beautiful illustrations with lots of pattern and gold leaf and some exotic animals introduce a baby to numbers up to ten. An elegant cheetah balances ten cherries along its spotted body and four fine foxes share strawberries.
I must have read this book a hundred times and I never tire of it. There’s so much to look for – and for adults to compare the post war childhood it portrays with our lives now. Forty years ago the round peephole was a huge novelty, and it still works.
‘Here’s a little baby, One two three, Stands in his cot, What does he see? Peepo!’
Books for babies don’t all have to be in primary colours and Jackie Morris’s pictures are visually stunning.
There’s a Tickle Beetle who runs all over you and a bibb-ly bobb-ly Brontosaurus to jig up and down to.
Alan Ahlberg reads from Peepo
Anything by the Ahlbergs is worth reading, but I think Peepo is their best book for babies.
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