The Cornwall Blog

Over the weekend of 25-26th September, Port Eliot will take on a distinctly Chinese theme. Following on from his successful taster classes at Port Eliot House in June, renowned artist Xiao Bai Li will be running a two-day course in Chinese brush painting. The course will give people a chance to find out more about the techniques involved and develop their skills under Xiao’s expert guidance throughout the weekend. Xiao Bai Li was born and grew up in Nanjing, The People’s Republic of China, where his schooling crossed a ten year period during the Cultural Revolution. He moved to England in 1993 and now lives and works in Plymouth. His eloquent work in both portraiture and the art of Chinese Brush Painting focuses on the subject of people. His creative process includes meeting and closely observing people in their familiar environments - conveying a picture of real life in whatever place he is working in at the time. Xiao says, “Art can transcend many barriers and I feel that by p...

600 children show their skill in the water during the British Life Saving Sport Nipper Championships, sponsored by South West Water. The event concluded a week of fun and sporting skill on the beach and in the sea for over 1,000 Surf Lifesavers. Back for the second time as part of Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week, Life Saving Sport, based on the equipment used by Lifeguards, is a showcase of the skill and fitness needed to save lives. The event is generously sponsored by South West Water who are delighted to be part of the Championships once again this year, as South West Water Customer Relations Director, Monica Read, explains; “South West Water is pleased to support Surf Life Saving communities around our beautiful coastline, by supporting the development of young Surf Lifesavers we can help to create the next generation of volunteers making our beaches safe”. It was an exciting week, starting with North Devon Surf Life Saving Clubs ruled the roost during the first part of the week with Sa...

Rick Stein will be signing copies of his books later this month at Stein’s Deli in Padstow and at his new restaurant, Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips, on Discovery Quay in Falmouth. The dates will be Friday 20th and Thursday 26th August 2010. Friday 20th August: 10.30am to 11.30am, Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips, Events Square, Falmouth 3pm to 4pm, Stein’s Deli, South Quay, Padstow Thursday 26th August: 11am to 12pm, Stein’s Deli, South Quay, Padstow Access to the queue is on a first come first served basis, please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Twelve brave Cornwall based business owners and employees will be skydiving for charity on the 25 August, 2010 in aid of the Precious Lives Appeal to help build ‘Little Harbour’ in St Austell, a hospice for life limited children. The individuals taking on the challenge are aiming to raise over £4,000 between them for the charity. The ‘LESW Charity Skydive Challenge 2010’ has been organised by local event management company Live Events South West (LESW) as a means to facilitate and encourage local businesses to kick start, or build on, their corporate social responsibility by supporting local charities. The extra support is encouraged and backed by Children’s Hospice South West. Emma Lloyd, Head of Fundraising for CHSW’s Precious Lives Appeal, says “The LESW Charity Skydive Challenge is a great idea and a brilliant way to get local businesses involved in helping our local cause whilst undertaking something exciting and challenging. We wish the courageous but caring skydivers all the b...

In North Cornwall, Bored Lizard Surf Shop based on the Bude high street, has seen its business grow year on year, and have taken steps with each passing season to change the look of the shop and stock. Owner, Laurent Calvez, a surfer from Brittany in France, recently had this to say: "We've seen a lot of new improvement with a new Weird Fish designed wall and new wooden stand from Black Salamander. Two popular surf clothing brands that we have been pleased to stock alongside our own clothing. "Thank you to everybody involved in helping the shop look so good this year. "Bored Lizard has done very well in the early part of this year, and we are looking forward to the rest of the season. We've also had a celebrity shopper: Vic Reeves (from Shooting Stars). All in all, very exiting!" So make sure you drop in next time you are in Bude to see the friendly owner and shop. You can also buy Weird Fish, Black Salamander and Bored Lizard surf clothing onl...

The final preparations are being made for the 2010 RNAS Culdrose Air Day (Wednesday 28th July). With the ‘Vulcan’ making a rare appearance, thrilling flying displays, an action packed military arena and a chance to get up close with the world of Naval Aviation, organisers hope that the public will experience ‘Fly Navy’ whatever the weather. Visitors will be able to see breathtaking displays from some of the worlds most advanced aircraft as they twist, loop and soar through the skies at terrifying speeds. Almost 70 aircraft will give flying displays full of daring manoeuvres and precision flying and further aircraft will be available for static viewing on the ground, allowing the public to get up close to the aircraft and talk to their crews. Culdrose will show off its resident aircraft, there will be helicopter role demonstrations, an appearance from the Great War Display Team and a variety of fast and noisy jets (including a Vietnam era F-86 Sabre and a joint Strike Master/Hawker Hun...

Stir Fried Salt & Pepper Squid Tickets for the Seafood Demonstration Evening at Rick Stein’s cookery school in Padstow are now on sale. The new demonstration evening, to be held at Padstow Seafood School on Thursday 8th July, aims to give guests a ‘taster’ of the dishes they might experience on a visit to Rick & Jill Stein’s renowned Seafood Restaurant. Mark Puckey, head lecturer at Padstow Seafood School, will be demonstrating a selection of dishes from Rick Stein’s Seafood, including Crab linguine with parsley and chilli, Devilled mackerel with mint and tomato salad and Salmon steaks with muscadet, watercress and dill potatoes. The evening begins at 7pm until 9pm and includes a tasting of all the dishes that Mark will be demonstrating, accompanied by a glass or two of wine. Tickets are £35 and available from Padstow Seafood School. For more information and bookings please call the school on 01841 533 466 or email seafoodschool@rickstein.com . Spaces are limited...