Design Thoughts in Redruth

The Design Thoughts Exhibition in Redruth was a success and Liz May was able to show off her work. Here are a couple of shots from the exhibition.

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To see more about the graphic designer Liz May, take a look at her website www.designthoughts.co.uk

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Two Events in Two Days at Par Beach

The last few days of July were busy for Friends of Par Beach with events on the afternoon of Thursday 28th and late evening on Saturday 30th.

The events team from Groundwork SW brought the Cadbury’s sponsored Spots v Stripes to Par Beach on Thursday 28th July, where some 200 children and adults joined in or watched the fun. Participants joined either the Spots or Stripes team and competed in sack races, space-hopper races, giant Jenga, beach Noughts and Crosses and tug-o-war with great enthusiasm cheered on by excited parents and grandparents.

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The weather was perfect for the event, which brought to life a busy Par Beach and everyone went home tired, but happy.

The weather for the second event on the evening Saturday 30th July was not so helpful as the sky clouded over for the start of the Star Gazing on the beach. Kit Williams answered questions about astronomy and found out a bit of what the 30 attendees already knew. Having decided to enjoy the tea and coffee provided by Friends of Par Beach, as there was not a star in sight, the clouds cleared and everyone was treated to a description and identification of many constellations.

Despite the disappointment with the clouds some members, non members and new members enjoyed the event, and Friends of Par Beach plan something later in the year.

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The Death of Sherlock Holmes

Open-Air Tour June-August 2011

A famous detective - A new type of crime - Unusual suspects…

This summer, Miracle Theatre is stirring up all the ingredients of the best Sherlock Holmes mystery with a large measure of comedy to bring you a period thriller with a sting in its tail! The Death of Sherlock Holmes, written and directed by Bill Scott, is touring to over 40 venues across south west England and Wales, from 1st June to 29th August.

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It’s a dangerous time for Sherlock Holmes: preparing for his final battle with the criminal mastermind Moriarty, he stumbles upon a most ingenious crime.

Faced with a web of questionable motives, bizarre weapons and devilish disguises, Sherlock and Watson head off at breakneck speed on a trail which leads from 221b Baker Street, via the Swiss Alps, to a suburban séance bursting with paranormal goings on.

“This show is about how the world’s most famous detective might have reacted when his creator, the archetypal Victorian gentleman Arthur Conan Doyle, started to lose interest in writing detective stories and became obsessed with ghosts and fairies instead” says director Bill Scott. “But there is much more going on in this new Sherlock Holmes adventure than meets the eye. Moriarty may be the most evil villain of all time but could there be someone even more powerful pulling his strings? The audience will need to look out for clues and use all their powers of deduction to crack this most puzzling of cases. We hope it will keep people talking all the way home!”


Miracle Theatre is renowned for producing witty, highly physical and popular new works as well as clever adaptations of the classics. The Death of Sherlock Holmes skilfully combines a cast of Miracle’s most popular and dynamic performers, an original music score by Jim Carey and innovative design by Alan and Jude Munden to create a mind-boggling ‘whodunwhat’ which offers audiences of all generations the chance to test their detective skills alongside our avid super sleuths.

If you are searching to solve the mystery of how to have a great night out, why not follow Mrs Hudson’s recommendations: pack a hip flask, bring a suitable coat for the season (deerstalkers optional), grab a gabardine blanket and look no further than your nearest castle, garden, ancient playing place, or even beach, to enjoy an evening of classic outdoor entertainment.
But remember – expect the unexpected!

THE MIRACLE SHOWBOAT EXPERIENCE
Make your evening’s entertainment even more memorable! Miracle Theatre has once again teamed up with King Harry’s Cornwall to offer audiences the chance to take the boat from Falmouth to see The Death of Sherlock Holmes at Trelissick Garden, Smugglers Cottage at Tolverne or St Mawes Castle this summer. Experience the views across the Fal River; enjoy on-board entertainment with a complimentary pint of Skinners, as well as priority seating on your arrival at the venue.

To see the dates and venues got the Eye on Cornwall Event Calendar.

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Local Chef Nominated for National Award

David Sharland, executive chef at The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, has been nominated by the Craft Guild of Chefs for one of the industry’s most prestigious awards for his outstanding achievements in the catering industry.

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Now in its 18th year, the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards ceremony has become the chef’s ‘Oscars’ and the coveted accolades recognise and reward the leading talent working in kitchens across the industry.

The People's Choice Award is a new award category which has been added to the 2011 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards line up. This new award has been introduced to recognise the unsung heroes of the industry who demonstrate real commitment to their job, someone who stands out in the profession as going the extra mile.

Rick Stein comments: “David Sharland has a rare skill in that he completely understands how to make kitchens work harmoniously. Due to his immense experience, he knows how to build up a happy and hard working brigade, and to design a great kitchen. Naturally he is efficient at maintaining good gross profits and he cooks exquisite food. But almost more importantly, he knows how to nurture talent and is tireless in his efforts to encourage young people to join the industry and train them well.”

There are seven nominees for this year’s award and the winner will be decided by the general public via an online vote. The closing date for votes is Friday 13th May 2011 and the winner will be announced at Westminster Park Plaza Hotel on Thursday 2nd June 2011.

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Air Day 2011 at Culdrose

Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose’s Air Day 2011 is fast approaching, and it promises to fill the skies of Cornwall with magnificent sights and sounds from across the world of aviation, both past and present. From high above the Air Station, down to mere feet above the runway, your eyes are guaranteed to be fixated on the gravity defying displays that Culdrose Air Day is famous for.

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This year we have not one, not two, but six aerobatic display teams, all competing to woo the crowds with their dazzling displays and death-defying manoeuvres! Whether it be the super tight formations of the legendary Red Arrows, the spectacular stunts of Team Turbulent or the super agility of the Black Cats, spectators are guaranteed to be entertained.



Of course no Air Day at Culdrose would be complete without the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm attending in force. Demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of maritime helicopters, the Lynx, Merlin and Sea Kings will be put through their paces, while the nimble Hawks of the Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit (FRADU) will show off their agility and speed.

In contrast to the roaring sound of jets and turbines, the air will be filled with the soothing purr of our piston driven veterans; we will take you back in time as the iconic aircraft of the Royal Navy Historic Flight and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight showcase their past heritage, including the valiant naval Swordfish and the mighty Lancaster bomber.



We also have the pleasure of hosting a number of foreign aircraft, including the world renowned Royal Jordanian Falcons display team, and making its Culdrose debut - the F16 fighter of the Royal Danish Air Force with its thunderous roar and amazing agility.

If all of that wasn’t enough, there is still more to come; a number of special guest acts are still awaiting confirmation, some of which have never been seen at Culdrose before, so let’s keep our fingers crossed and let’s hope that we will see them in the skies of Cornwall come July.

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An Evening with Rick in Aid of The Poly

Join us for an evening of food and wine at the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society (also known as The Poly) in Falmouth on Saturday 12th March 2011. Rick will be hosting a one-off demonstration evening, from which all proceeds will be donated to the RCPS.

"Recently I was shown around the Polytechnic and was amazed at how beautiful it is - so full of history, such high ceilings and elegant windows, but a bit frayed around the edges. I'm very happy to help raise funds to restore it."

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The evening will begin at 6pm (Poly doors open at 5.30pm) where you will be greeted with a glass of wine, then sit back and relax as you watch Rick cook three dishes from his latest book Far Eastern Odyssey, whilst sharing tips, techniques and anecdotes from his latest travels. Rick will also be signing books for guests after the event.

Henk Wiekens, Chairman, Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society said “The RCPS is very honoured to have Rick Stein leading this fantastic fundraising opportunity for us. We’re especially grateful to Rick and his team for choosing to support the Society, as we rely on income from our membership and events to maintain the Poly building and it’s in need of a lot of work! To have an international celebrity on our stage is a great boost for everyone who has supported the Poly through difficult times and a great signal that we are on the way up.”


Tickets are £50 for RCPS member and £60 for non-members and are available from the Poly box office. All proceeds will be donated to the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.

To purchase your ticket please call the Poly on 01326 319461 or call into the Poly Building between 10.00am and 4.00pm, Monday to Saturday at: 24 Church Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3EG.

Fish & chip fundraising for the Poly in March

Rick Stein's Fish & Chips on Discovery Quay in Falmouth will also be raising funds for the Poly for the duration of March with their charity winter offers. Enjoy cod & chips, bread & butter and a cup of tea for £6.65 (or a half pint of Chalky's Bark for £7.85) plus a cover charge of £1 per person, which will be added to your bill and donated directly to The Poly.

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Countdown is on for Cornwall’s first Home Show

Cornwall’s first home and garden show looks to be a sell out with just a few stands still remaining for Cornish home and garden specialist businesses

The Cornwall Home Show 2011 will bring together Cornwall’s best home and garden design businesses all under one roof at Kingsley Village, Fraddon, for two days on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May.

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This is the first time that an event like this has been planned for Cornwall. With so many high quality independent, specialist home suppliers based in the county The Cornwall Home Show looks set to offer something very special to visitors and exhibitors alike. The show has companies from right across the country, from Wadebridge to Penzance, booked to demonstrate their products and services. Visitors to the show will also be able to see beautiful artwork by local Cornish artists, Alexandra Dickens and Rob Braybrook, who will be taking a stands at the show.

Visitors to the show will be able to find out about energy saving solutions and sustainable living, look at the very latest kitchen and interior design styles, explore the opportunities of integrated home network systems and meet specialists to discuss all areas of home and garden design.

The two day event will include up to four free seminars on areas of interest such as integrating renewable energy in the home, home cinematic and networks, as well as interior design hints and tips from some of the show’s fantastic exhibitors.

Throughout the event exhibitors will be running special offers and promotions, making it the best place to find ideal home solutions, speak to the experts, see products and services first hand and get a great deal on any purchases made.

The exhibition hall at Kingsley Village will be broken down into seven zones, each focusing on a specific area of the home. Visitors can wander around the exhibition hall at Kingsley Village and be inspired with ideas for home décor, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, furniture and fittings, gardens and renewable energy solutions, and technology.

After looking around the stands people are welcome to relax in the Kingsley Village Cafe, where they can browse the catalogues and show offers for bespoke, traditional, rustic and contemporary products and services, whilst making the all important decisions on what to buy or explore further over lunch.

Organisers are confident that the event will provide inspiration and great offers to everyone looking to refresh or update the home ahead of summer, as well as giving businesses an opportunity to promote their goods and services at the only Home Show in the county.



Andrew Weaver, Owner of Live Events South West said: “The Cornwall Home Show will be the perfect place for people to visit to get ideas for any room in the house or the garden. It’s the only time people will find all of Cornwall’s best home and garden businesses all in the same place. We’re encouraging exhibitors to offer special show discounts as well, so it really is an event not to be missed, make sure you get the date in your diary.”

Andrew continued: “This is the first time an event like this has been planned for Cornwall. We have so many independent, specialist home and garden suppliers in Cornwall and this event will give them all a platform to showcase the very best products.”

Organisers hope that The Cornwall Home Show will become an annual spring event that grows year on year, becoming a regular fixture in Cornwall’s events calendar.

If you are interested in taking one of the remaining stands at Cornwall’s First Home Show, or just want to find out more, please contact Andrew Weaver on 01872 888733 or email exhibit@cornwallhomeshow.co.uk

The ticket price for the show will be £3 per person, purchase on entry.
Opening hours will be:
Saturday 30 April from 09.30hrs to 17.00hrs
Sunday 1 May from 10.00hrs to 16.30hrs

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Photo Event at Par Beach

A group of 8 members of Friends of Par Beach managed to dodge the rain on Sunday to enjoy an informal photography event at Par Beach and the Bird Lake.

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Bob Rawlings and George Collings, from St Austell Camera Club, gave lots of advice and encouragement, whose cameras ranged from compact to digital SLR. Amongst the techniques group learned were composition of the photo, depth of field, aperture priority and, in view of the weather, photography in poor light.

Lots of photos were taken of birds, people and the landscape.


There will be another photo event on Sunday 10th April 2011 with Tim and Janie Bullen. Full details on our website along with other forthcoming events.

At the end of a most informative session thanks were given to Bob & George of St Austell Camera Club, John Page and Michelle O’Shea, Friends of Par Beach, for organising the event and for providing most welcome tea and biscuits at the end.

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New Riding Arena in North Cornwall

At Steppes Farm Holiday Cottages and Livery Yard, their new 45m x 25m sand and rubber floodlit Riding Arena is ready for action, and it looks impressive!





Steppes Farm is based in beautiful countryside and provide holiday cottages in Camelford. You can see from the photographs of the arena that the views are spectacular. They are based on the edge of Bodmin Moor, and get snowfalls in the Winter months.

The Arena can be hired for private use and/or Dressage and Show Jumping Competitions, Training, Showing, Lecture Demos and Dog Training etc.. Lessons for children and adults can also be arranged with their Trainer.

Children and adults can join the Sunday Club and come to learn about Stable Management as well as the actual riding. The perfect preparation for owning your own horse or pony!


Their philosophy is to give confidence and pleasure, this applies to young and old, beginners or experienced riders.

They can be contacted on 01840 212214.

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Falmouth Based Photographer Launches First Solo Exhibition at the Poly

A new exhibition showcasing the work of Falmouth-based photographer Oliver Raymond-Barker will be taking place at The Poly, Falmouth, from 1-7 March 2011. This is his first solo show and has been enabled by a development grant from the arts organisation Creative Skills Cornwall.





Through the medium of photography and print Raymond-Barker explores his connection with the natural and built environment. The wild coast of Cornwall provides a wealth of inspiration, as does his work as an architectural photographer. His images seek to transcend the original subject and create a new vision, communicating the energy and essence of locations as he sees them.

Raymond-Barker graduated from Birmingham Institute of Art and Design in 2002 with an honours degree in Photography. Following his degree, he worked as studio assistant and later digital manager for Sanctuary Studios in London before deciding to go freelance two years later. He has spent the last five years working in the outdoor adventure industry in Cornwall and Wales whilst continuing to develop his portfolio. This time out and close connection with the elements has been influential in shaping the work he is currently making.


An avid climber and surfer, he says: “ I spend a great deal of time in the sea or halfway up sea cliffs. The way I experience and interact with these environments gives me a perspective that few others have”.

Jane Sutherland of Creative Skills Cornwall says: “…for Oliver to undertake a solo exhibition and all that it entails, is a great learning opportunity. The awarding of a Professional Development grant by Creative Skills acknowledges that Oliver has extended his skills base by undertaking the planning, promoting, marketing and presentation of his exhibition.”

The exhibition will be open from 1st to 7th March 2011 from 10am to 5pm. There will be a private view on Tuesday 1st March between 6pm to 9pm.

For further information, please contact Oliver Raymond-Barker on 07979 871382 or orb1000@hotmail.com.

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