The Cornwall Blog

Painter Mark Preston has been drawn to the rugged, dramatic coastline between St Ives and Lands End since he was a fine art student in the 1990s. For the past year, Mark’s work has focused on capturing the beauty of the land and sea of West Cornwall throughout the four seasons. This exhibition of forty works, showing from the 6th to 21st September 2013, explores the Duchy in all its glory; sun, rain, storms, spring flowers, winter seas, enticing beaches and wild landscapes. Although based in Derbyshire, Preston is a devoted painter of the Cornish land, coast and sea, fascinated by the way in which the changing seasons affect these spectacular places. Inspired to become a landscape painter through many painting trips to the Peak District, Cornwall and Scotland with his artist father, Rex Preston, Mark paints outdoors using acrylics, with relatively little time spent in the studio. Direct contact with the landscape and natural elements are essential for his painting. Working wi

First Ever Cornwall Ceramics Trail Launches to coincide with the St Ives September Festival 2013. The history of ceramics in Cornwall is of great importance to the art history of both this region and the wider world, and attracts students, academics and cultural visitors from across the UK and internationally. Alongside established public venues such as the Leach Pottery St Ives and a wealth of private ceramics galleries, the county supports a broad community of independent ceramicists working from private studios. Timed to coincide with the St Ives September Festival 2013, from Saturday 14th to Saturday 28th September this year the first ever Ceramics Trail Cornwall will see potters and ceramicists opening up their working studios to the public. Throughout the event fans of contemporary Cornish pottery will have a unique opportunity to meet and engage with ceramicists, see them at work in their pottery studios and purchase works direct. French born potter Michel François, who

North Cornwall has a great variety of accommodation types which mean that it meets the needs of visitors from all over the world and country. A burgeoning form is the boutique bed and breakfast, offering luxuriously appointed rooms in spectacular locations. The region around Padstow lends itself very well to this form of tourism, especially along the banks of the Camel Estuary. The many inlets and coves are full of beautiful scenery and mystery. Heading towards the estuary from St. Issey, halfway between Padstow and Wadebridge, the road ames many turns through the tightly packed hills and little woods. In this farmland you will come across the recently restored Tredore House, a farmhouse bed and breakfast dating back past the middle ages, with a striking Victorian wing. All of their guest rooms have been refurbished to a high standard giving a modern and contemporary feel. Their breakfast room is spacious and well furnished, a great place to eat the delicious food served.

The National Maritime Museum Falmouth has been shortlisted for the Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award – by far the biggest museum award in Britain and the only one judged by families. The winner is picked by undercover family judges visiting the museum anonymously and reporting back on what they find. Kids In Museums are now recruiting families who would like to be judges. All a family needs to do is email award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk and they will be supported through the judging process. It’s free and fun, and gives another reason to spend time at a fabulous local museum! You are, of course, welcome to visit more than one venue too if it coincides with family holidays etc. We will pay reasonable travel costs for any judging families as well as covering your entry fees, if applicable. A few days after your visit, a volunteer would contact you to discuss how things went. It’s great The National Maritime Museum has got this far – and hopefully will get further! The winner

Everyone at Electric Beach HQ are super excited to announce the return of Electric Beach Festival at Watergate Bay this summer on 31st August. Last year’s sell out festival will again be gracing the sands of the North Cornish coast at Watergate Bay near Newquay. They have an amazing line up of world class acts and local artists playing the one day music event. Iconic R’n’B and dance act SOUL II SOUL are this year’s headliner, bringing their effortlessly fresh beats to the beach. Soul II Soul are a household name in the UK scene, with their hits “Keep On Moving” and “Back to Life” toping the UK and US charts. “Back To Life” has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and featured in the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. One of the founding members Jazzie B, has had international success winning 2 Grammy’s and an Ivor Novello award. He has not only been a part of chart topping Soul II Soul, but has remixed and produced songs for James Brown, Nas and Destiny’s Child to name

Three days of great bands, tasty food and real ales from all over the South West. This will be the first of hopefully many yearly events that we will be putting together in aid of the Macmillan Cancer trust. At least 18 guest beers and six guest ciders will be on offer, as well as the usual range of award-winning St Austell draughts and a hearty hog roast. Ten bands will perform over the three day festival and there be an opportunity for budding musicians to get on stage in between acts for open mic sessions. Music will start at 12pm and go through until 10pm on the Friday and Saturday and 8pm on the Sunday. The lineup is as follows, with more acts set to be announced: Friday 21st June Johanna Graham Ensemble – Jazz
 Ten Bob Notes – Ska
 The Dirty Living Rhythm Band – Rock
 Adam Parfitt – Acoustic
 Walkabout's open mic night head honcho! Saturday 22nd June Sinpusher – Rock
 Four Minds Combined – Hip Hop Fusion Sunday 23rd June Out of Context – Acoustic
 Tayl

Argentina’s finest and award-winning tango vocalist, Martín Alvarado, will be performing in Cornwall for the first time as part of his 25th international tour in June. His performance, at Carnglaze Caverns, near Liskeard, on Sunday, June 9, at 6pm, will see the award-winning singer accompanying himself on acoustic guitar in true tango troubadour style in his show “Así es mi tango” (So this is my tango). Alvarado has been touring internationally almost constantly for the past ten years, performing at major venues and festivals – but this will be the first time he has ever performed in a cave! “It will certainly be a different venue for me,” he said, joking. “I am wondering if I may need to wear gloves and a scarf!” The old slate mine caverns at Carnglaze, which have a constant year-round temperature of 10C (the audience is advised to bring warm clothes), were chosen by his promoter, L Tango Promotions, because of their superb natural acoustics. Alvarado’s UK and Europe mana