Eco-Friendly Jewellery Shop Opens

The Cornwall Blog: New eco-business bucks the trend

An eco-friendly start-up business in Cornwall is set to beat the credit crunch by opening a brand new shop selling organic and fair trade jewellery and clothing supported by South West insurance firm Cornish Mutual.

Technorati Tags: cornwall, eco-friendly, jewellery

Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival

Over 3,000 sing in county

FINAL preparations are now in hand for the fourth Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival, starting on Wednesday, April 29, and forecast to inject at least three-quarters of a million pounds into the county's economy.

The six-day biennial spectacular involves over 3,000 singers from 54 choirs, including 11 from overseas. A total of 39 events at 30 locations across Cornwall is expected to attract an aggregate audience of around 30,000.

Programme highlights include a bumper batch of gala concerts in Truro, starting on Wednesday in the cathedral and involving Cornwall Boys' Choir, Truro Cathedral Choristers, the Russian Boys' Choir of Dubna, Kapela Khloptchikau from Minsk, Belarus, and Russia's Sverdlovsk Male Choir College.

"This will be a great opening for the festival," said director Peter Davies. "It will be a unique combination of youth and boys' choirs involving our own cathedral choristers and Cornwall Boys' Choir sharing the concert with the choirs from Russia and Belarus. These visiting choirs will also be engaged in workshops with local schools."

Three more gala concerts follow at the Hall for Cornwall on May 1, 2 and 4. Choirs performing on May 1 will be Nankersey, Alcester, Audley, Weybridge and Sverdlovsk Male Choir College plus Sweden's Vocal Six "a cappella" ensemble.

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Amazing English Attractions

Travel to the end of the earth with Trafalgar… well almost - etravelblackboard.com

Since ancient times, England has been one of the most significant countries in the world for myths and magic. Learn of the mysterious legends and stories that surround southern England on Trafalgar’s five-day First Class Best of Devon and Cornwall.

Journey through this historic region riddled with tales of another time. See the ruined castle of Tintagel, linked to the legend of King Arthur, the tomb at the Abbey ruins where he now lays, the Roman Baths and mystical Stonehenge.

This tour also includes a Cornish excursion where passengers can enjoy a scenic drive along the rugged coastline of Cornwall, past Smugglers’ Cove and quaint fishing villages to Land’s End, the most westerly point of the British mainland. Continue to St Ives to see the famous artist colony before travelling to St Michael’s Mont.

Technorati Tags: cornwall, england, smugglers cove, stonehenge, king arthur

Plenty to do on England's Coast

The Complete Guide To: England's coastal highlights - UK, Travel - The Independent

That was how the former tourism minister, Kim Howells, described some English resorts a decade ago. But the modern reality is different.

For a 21st-century take on an English beach holiday, start where the seaside tradition (initially based on the perceived benefits of sea water) took root in the 18th century: Brighton. After his first trip there in 1783, the Prince Regent continued to visit the town regularly for 40 years. The fishing port's proximity to London helped to turn it into an attractive seaside resort.

Modern Brighton has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants and a rich cultural scene. One of its newest hotels is also an art gallery: the Artist Residence at 33 Regency Square (01273 324302; artistresidence. co.uk). An elegant 18th-century townhouse, its ground floor is a display space managed by local artist Jamie Shaw, with frequently changing exhibitions that showcase Brighton's freshest creative talents. Upstairs, double rooms are available from £60, singles from £40. Gradually these rooms are being decorated by different artists: the Mel Sheppard room is already available and renovation is under way on a room that will be the work of street artist Hutch.

Activities to keep your kids entertained

Free days out for kids (and grown-ups too) - UK, Travel - The Independent

The Easter holidays needn’t mean bored kids (and parents). From thrilling bike trails through Welsh valleys to mind-expanding museums and beautiful beaches, the best British day trips won’t cost a penny...

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Best Mum Celebrated

Best mum celebrated

A CELEBRATION ball has been planned for Friday, May 1 in honour of the president of Tanya's Courage Trust, Iris Billing, who has recently been voted Tesco Magazine 'Mum of the Year'.

Mrs Billing set up the charity to help teenage and young adult cancer sufferers in memory of her daughter who died of leukaemia aged 17.

The ball will be held at the Atlantic Hotel, Newquay, with dinner cooked by TV chefs.

Live entertainment will be provided by the Vanity Girls and Atlantic FM.

Tickets cost £35 each and the booking hotline is 01726 850320 or 01726 70529.

Technorati Tags: newquay, atlantic hotel, tanya's courage trust, iris billing

Cinema Business Booms

The Cornwall Blog: Business booming for St Austell’s cinema

Cornwall’s first new cinema complex for over 70 years – White River Cinema in St Austell is gearing up for a busy Easter and will be preparing to welcome its 50,000th customer since opening.

Owners WTW Cinemas is reporting ‘consistently strong’ business with ‘record’ admissions during the first quarter of this year (January-March 09) and over the Christmas and New Year period. The two most popular films to date have been Academy award winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and children’s feature ‘Bolt’.

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Falmouth - the home for dolphins

Falmouth - the home for dolphins (From Boating Cornwall)

Pictured in Falmouth Harbour, a pod of playful dolphins entertain passengers on the St Mawes to Falmouth ferry.

The new wooden ferry was built locally but Cockwells Modern and Classic boatbuilding in Falmouth.

The St Mawes Ferry Company run an hourly service 364 days a year and the new boat, The Duchess of Cornwall, was named by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in July last year.

The pictures here taken by Toby Budd from the ferry company and the dolphins thought to be Bottlenose Dolphins.

The skipper John Brown (Topper) and crew Mark Cairnes enabled passengers to get a good view of the dolphins as they crossed the Carrick Roads.

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UK Food Holidays

UK short-break family summer foodie holiday ideas – travelbite.co.uk

Planning the family holidays this year could present UK travellers with some exciting challenges. The economic downturn not only makes the working week a little more worrisome but when we have the chance to take a break, some feel like they still need to save money.

A recent survey suggested that more than half of us will stay in the UK this year and while this may not initially seem like the most appealing prospect, for families with children there is a world of adventure and hidden gems to be found on UK soil - and a great deal of them are free of charge!

You don't have to opt for the traditional seaside holiday or day trip either.

Why not help your children learn about food while discovering a wealth of beautiful countryside and little known attractions?

There are literally hundreds of ways to take your family on a 'foodie day out' that don't cost a fortune and there is no need to compromise on fun either! Whether staying for a week on holiday this year or just a day, guests can find exciting activities, whatever the weather and whatever the budget.

Here we make a few suggestions on how to nurture children's passion for food and learning, while ensuring the whole family has hours of fun for less this summer.

Read More...

Technorati Tags: uk, cornwall, food, holidays, economy

Events Calendar April 2009

Upcoming Events

April 2009



4th to 5th - Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show, Boconnoc Estate

9th - Scillonian Pirate Fun Day Penzance

9th to 14th - “Anything Goes” at the Minack Theatre

10th - Fish Fair at Trevaskis Farm Camborne

10th to 13th - Easter Egg Hunts at various National Trust properties and National Maritime Museum

11th to 13th - Spring Fair at Trereife, Penzance

13th - Gweek, Helston Food and Craft Fair

23rd - Coastal Wild Food Walk, Godrevy

24th to 26th - Kitesurfing Freestyle Championships, Watergate Bay

25th - Camborne Trevithick Day

29th to 30th - Cornwall International Male Voice Choir Festival

Lifeguard Dog Reinstated

Banned Lifeguard Dog Reinstated After Protests -- ZooToo Pet News

CORNWALL, U.K. -- Once banned from his post, a famed British lifeguard dog will return to duty at a Cornish beach.

Thousands of people signed a petition asking UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown -- and Queen Elizabeth -- to mandate that Bilbo, a 6-year-old Newfoundland, get his job back.

For the past three years, the chocolate-colored, nearly 200 pound dog has stood watch alongside his lifeguard owner. The two patrolled the beachfront together and would regularly cruise the shore in an All Terrain Bike.

Bilbo, whose waterproof coat and webbed paws were reportedly put to good use on the job, also wore his special lifeguard vest before plunging into the water. He had also passed a special fitness and swimming test before making his ocean front debut.

The dog is credited with aiding in three rescues of struggling swimmers in Sennen Cove.

Yet the Royal National Lifeguard Institution took issue with Bilbo riding a motorized bikein May 2008, citing health and safety concerns. Later that month, it officially banned him from him post, saying that while it cannot bar a dog from the beach, it could renounce Bilbo from keeping an official post.

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April - From the Farm

We are now welcoming the first of our new seasons visitors and it is very good to see them. Everyone is enjoying the longer evenings now that the clocks have gone forward and the sun has come out again. The hedgerows are full of primroses and pale little violets and there is a lot of nesting activity around the farm. At last there is a chance to get on the land and do a bit of harrowing and rolling to encourage the new grass. The cattle loved going into the fresh pasture and kicked up their heels in true Spring fashion. Not long now till the first calves are due.

Had a delightful day out at Trebah garden where the camellias and rhodedendrons are looking their best. Also managed a trip to the Titanic Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth and a real treat at the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth seeing the wonderful jazz singer Clare Teal. Nearer to home we had a very happy evening out at the Treleigh Arms to celebrate the fact that Ronnie has been working here at Rayle Farm for 40 years. Ronnie is an absolute fount of wisdom about Cornwall’s bird life.

Looking forward to having the family home for the Easter break – we have picnics in mind!