Bobby Angelov

A road from Trengove Cross to Higher Brill in Constantine, including the section between Tredwen and Pixies Corner, will close from September 14 to September 22 for chamber installation works. The closure will operate 24 hours a day on weekdays, with a signed diversion and continued pedestrian access to properties. Cornwall Council announced the closure, and Chris Slater at Circet TM can provide further information.

The St Ives September Festival is offering guided walks exploring the town’s artistic heritage, local history, community orchard, ancient monuments and Cornwall’s mining legacy. Tours include explorations of sites associated with Alfred Wallis, Barbara Hepworth and Bryan Pearce, St Ives town walks led by local historian Tony Farrell, and an archaeology trip through West Penwith. The walks complement the festival’s wider programme of music, theatre, exhibitions, talks and workshops, with organisers encouraging early booking because several events regularly sell out.

Dobbies’ Lelant store is hosting a free Little Seedlings Club workshop called “Autumn Colours” to help children learn how plants and wildlife adapt as summer turns to autumn. The session will include games, discussions and a practical activity in which children plant a daffodil bulb to take home. Families can reserve free places through the Dobbies website.

Budock Vean Hotel & Spa near Falmouth has received two AA Rosettes in recognition of its food, service and overall dining experience. General manager Darryl Reburn credited the kitchen team's dedication, while newly appointed head chef Dale McIntosh is developing seasonal menus based on locally sourced and estate-grown Cornish ingredients. The award adds to the hotel's VisitEngland Breakfast Award and strengthens its positioning as a leading food and hospitality destination in Cornwall.

Cornwall Harbours Board is seeking three independent members with expertise in finance, fishing or marine environmental matters. The appointments will help oversee the sustainable operation of municipal harbours and related maritime assets, with an initial three-year term, training and reimbursed expenses. Applications are due by September 21, 2026, with interviews planned for the week beginning October 5 in Truro.

The Redruth-based Celtic Male Ensemble returned from performing at the Interceltic Festival in Lorient as part of Cornwall’s delegation. The choir appeared in five stadium shows featuring The Mermaid of Zennor, performed in the Grand Parade before an estimated 80,000 people, and hosted traditional Cornish singing events and informal performances around the festival. The wider event attracted about 950,000 attendees, while the stadium shows reached an estimated 2.5 million television viewers in France. The ensemble is scheduled to perform next at St Ia’s Church in St Ives during St Ives Festival Week.

Historic Trevince estate in Gwennap, Cornwall, will host a guided evening bat walk on August 15 led by ecologist Ashley Dale and a plant-propagation workshop on August 22 led by head gardener Colin Skelly. The bat walk costs £15 and is limited to 20 people, while the gardening workshop is included with garden admission. The estate’s gardens, café and historic grounds remain open to visitors on selected days through September 27.

Newquay’s free Sunset Session will take place on August 15 from 3pm to 9pm at the Killacourt as part of the Newquay Sessions series. The event will include DJ sets by Jamie Elliott and DJ Proof, live saxophone from Sean Lloyd, performances by Dvotion, and a licensed bar, with Towan Beach providing the seaside setting. Entry is open to everyone without tickets.

Ofsted praised Marlborough School in Falmouth for its strong early years provision, highly inclusive culture, pupil wellbeing initiatives, achievement, and effective school parliament. Inspectors said pupils enjoy learning and progress well, while curriculum, teaching, leadership and governance met the expected standard. The report identified one area for improvement: ensuring learning across the wider curriculum prepares pupils sufficiently for the demands of subject-specific secondary education.

Mount Pleasant Eco Park in Porthtowan has announced an autumn programme of live music, theatre, workshops, dance events and community gatherings at its refurbished Skylarking venue. Highlights include performances by Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness, An Dannsa Dub, Eva Lazarus and The Turbans; theatre productions including Widdershins, Threads and The Number 1 Holiday Destination; the Barefoot Dance Camp; and a 99p Films social cinema event. The campsite will remain open into autumn, with discounted camping available to gig ticket holders.

Two heritage regeneration projects in Penzance are progressing with support from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund. Repairs to the Grade II-listed building at 10 Parade Street have been completed, allowing the MusicAbility Foundation to establish a venue for music education, therapy, rehearsals and performances. Major repairs are also under way at the Grade I-listed Market House, which is being converted into a community hub, street food market and hospitality training restaurant, with reopening expected in spring 2027. The projects are intended to restore important landmarks, support local services and training, and contribute to the local economy.

Gardeners’ House in Penzance has won the Best Recently Completed or Renovated Building award at the 2026 Cornish Buildings Group Awards. The restored former gardeners’ house in Morrab Gardens now provides workshops, support groups, volunteering opportunities and a community archive focused on West Cornwall’s landscape and history. The £3.096 million project received £2.2 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £896,000 from the Penzance Town Deal Fund, reopening in June 2025 after nine years of restoration.

After a 30-year career in IT, 63-year-old Ken began volunteering with WithYou in Cornwall after becoming concerned about the stigma faced by people affected by drugs and alcohol. He helped drive clients to appointments, co-facilitated mutual-aid groups and provided recovery support. The experience inspired him to qualify as a hypnotherapist and counsellor, and within a year he moved into a paid recovery-worker role. He recommends volunteering as a way to find renewed purpose and make a meaningful difference at any age.

Nearly 60,000 people attended the 10-concert Eden Sessions season at Cornwall’s Eden Project, one of its most successful seasons to date. The event featured 28 artists, surpassed 150 shows over 25 years and received strong audience feedback, with 97% of attendees rating headline acts excellent or very good. The Sessions also supported more than 200 jobs and provided experience for events-management students, while Eden Project reported a world-class Net Promoter Score of 79. Director Simon Townsend highlighted the challenges facing the UK live-events industry and welcomed government business-rates support for music venues.

National Highways will begin a £9.8 million safety upgrade on September 5 along the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes in Cornwall, covering junctions at Plusha, Trevell, Two Bridges, Blackhill Quarry, Polyphant and a maintenance depot. Overnight closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. will run through September 10, followed by one lane open in each direction with a 50 mph limit. The scheme uses collision data and traffic analysis to redesign junctions, restrict dangerous right turns and improve visibility, with completion expected next spring. A public engagement event is also planned for a related A38 scheme between Liskeard and Trerulefoot.

South West Water has announced a hosepipe ban across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly, beginning at 00:01 on August 8 because of prolonged drought and high water demand. The restrictions prohibit hosepipe use for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning patios and filling pools, while drinking, washing and cooking remain unaffected. The Environment Agency has declared a drought across parts of England, and the Met Office reported exceptionally low rainfall. South West Water is urging customers to reduce consumption and will continue monitoring conditions.

Camborne has completed the £4.6 million transport component of its Town Deal regeneration programme. The work, delivered through the Camborne Renew and Camborne Lifecycle schemes, upgraded walking and cycling routes, pedestrian crossings, paving, lighting, CCTV, seating, planters, cycle parking and free parking in the town centre. The project was funded through the UK Government’s Town Deal programme with additional support from Cornwall Council, and partners sought to limit disruption during construction. The completed improvements connect the town centre with residential areas and nearby green spaces and form part of a broader programme of 10 projects aimed at transforming Camborne.

Hall for Cornwall in Truro has announced 26 productions for its 2026 and 2027 seasons. The programme spans theatre, musicals, comedy, dance, opera, family entertainment and live music, including appearances by Sir David Jason and Al Murray, a stage adaptation of Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies, returning productions of Chicago and Shrek the Musical, performances of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, and concerts by The Drifters, Francis Rossi and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The line-up is intended to attract audiences across generations and reinforce Cornwall’s cultural profile.

The Truro Classic Car Show brought 360 vintage vehicles to locations across Truro, including Lemon Quay, Lemon Street, Pydar Street and Boscawen Street, with the exhibition expanded to River Street and Victoria Square. Organized by Truro BID, the annual event attracted residents and visitors, while Cornwall Council helped arrange expanded Park and Ride access. Coodes Solicitors sponsored the show, which continues to grow each year.

Devon and Cornwall Police are deploying dedicated officers at the Boardmasters festival site, on surrounding roads and in Newquay town centre. Superintendent Vicky Howell said the force is working with organisers and partner agencies to protect visitors and residents while maintaining normal policing elsewhere. Police warned that criminal behaviour would be dealt with swiftly and advised festival-goers to secure valuables, keep phones and cards with them, avoid leaving drinks unattended, and report suspicious activity to stewards, security or welfare staff.

The first CAST-Off session of the year at Penrose’s walled garden attracted a record 469 children and family participants. Activities included boat building, clay work, natural-pigment painting and water engineering led by Discovering 42’s Dominick Allen, with water rockets proving especially popular. Four further Saturday sessions and free Wednesday workshops led by artist Lucy Grant are scheduled through August, with activities open to all ages and offered on a free drop-in basis.

Eighteen-year-old Noah Carden of St Mawes won the silver medal in the RS Aero 5 Youth World Championship at Travemünder Woche in Germany, while also finishing seventh overall in the adult European competition. Competing against an international fleet in highly variable Baltic Sea conditions, he secured his first international race win and was praised for his consistency and speed. The result follows his 2025 UK national youth title and reflects support from his family, coaches, Restronguet Sailing Club and St Mawes Sailing Club. Carden and club commodore Robin Laney said the achievement highlights the opportunities for young sailors developing in Falmouth Harbour.

Publicans Graham Allen and Gill Pascoe have retired from The Safe Harbour in Fowey after long careers with St Austell Brewery. Allen worked for the brewery for 35 years, including 16 years running the pub, while Pascoe joined seven years ago after a career in education. They were praised for their service to the pub and local community. Chef Luke “Boris” Watts will become the new publican.

Royal Navy Commander Andrew “Scooby” Plenty plans to walk more than 300 miles over 15 days from RNAS Culdrose Football Club in Cornwall to Portsmouth FC’s Fratton Park, beginning August 1, 2026. The challenge will raise funds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and highlight support for serving personnel, veterans and their families. The walk will also mark his departure from chairperson roles at RNAS Culdrose FC and the Portsmouth Armed Forces Supporters Club.

Kiln Sauna Pavilion has opened overlooking Porthmeor Beach in St Ives. Created by local founders Kathryn Tyler and Angus Thatcher, the destination combines communal and quiet saunas with Atlantic views, native coastal landscaping and architecture inspired by Cornwall’s lime-burning heritage and the Korean Hanjeungmak sauna tradition. Located near Tate St Ives, the pavilion is intended to function as both a wellness retreat and a social space rooted in the area’s artistic and coastal setting.

Employees from Cornwall-based holiday letting company Classic Cottages volunteered at the Upton Towans nature reserve in Hayle, removing invasive red valerian that threatens native dune plants. Managed by Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the reserve supports rare species including the silver-studded blue butterfly and petalwort. Classic Cottages contributes through the Trust’s Reserve Guardians programme, while the Trust relies on business partners, members and volunteers to manage more than 5,500 acres and 59 nature reserves across Cornwall.

Thirteen-year-old Charlie Sawle has launched Sid’s Dairy at his family’s farm in St Agnes, Cornwall, after saving for three years to buy his Jersey cow, Clare. He milks her daily, pasteurises the milk on-site and produces whole and semi-skimmed milk, double cream and Cornish clotted cream. Having completed the required food-safety certifications, Charlie sells the products directly to local customers, whose support reflects growing interest in fresh, locally produced food.

Cornwall National Landscape has received more than £1 million in development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Landscape Connections initiative. Over eight years, the project will focus on four areas of Cornwall, restoring habitats, improving biodiversity, addressing peatland degradation and habitat fragmentation, and building climate resilience. Led jointly with the National Trust, the initiative will also involve communities and young people in caring for the landscape. Five protected landscapes across the UK may ultimately receive up to £42.6 million in delivery funding as project plans progress.

Falmouth’s Pink Wig Mermaid March will take place on August 7 during Falmouth Week, beginning at the Greenbank Hotel and continuing through the town in support of people affected by breast cancer. Organized by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity to raise funds for the Mermaid Centre at Royal Cornwall Hospital, the event will help fund equipment, specialist training, and facility improvements. A post-march silent disco will be held at the Falmouth Week Event Marquee, with sponsorship from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions and Nevada Construction.

Results from Cornwall cricket matches played on Saturday 25 July are reported across the Premier Division and Divisions 1 to 4 West. Callington, Penzance, Redruth, St Just and Werrington won in the Premier Division, while Truro, Hayle, Falmouth, Perranporth and Stithians were among the Division 1 winners. Further victories are recorded for clubs including Camborne, Mullion, St Ives, Veryan and Redruth in the lower divisions. Mount Ambrose-Rosudgeon & Kenneggy won the Vingoe Family Law Andrew Cup Final by 42 runs, with Max Jacka named player of the final, while St Just won the West Penwith Evening League Peter George Cup Final by 17 runs and Bradley Harvey received the award.

Free sports activities were held on July 18 and 19 at nine Better leisure centres across Cornwall as part of Team England’s National Sports Weekend. Organized by GLL in partnership with Team England ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the event offered badminton, pickleball, tennis, swimming, gym sessions, yoga, table tennis and group cycling to members and non-members. GLL reported strong attendance and emphasized the role of local leisure facilities in bringing communities together and encouraging active lifestyles.

Gabrielle will headline a concert at Truro Cathedral on July 30 as part of the Cathedral Sessions 2026 series. The performance will feature hits including “Rise,” “Out of Reach” and “Dreams,” alongside material from her 2024 album A Place In Your Heart. Tickets start at £65 plus booking fees, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

Dynamite Valley Brewery has launched a new brand identity created with Falmouth design agency Kingdom & Sparrow. The rebrand updates the brewery’s illustrated style with earthy tones, handcrafted lettering and a three-arch emblem inspired by Kennall Vale’s landscape and industrial history. The Ponsanooth-based brewery is also expanding with new mini-taprooms and event spaces at Gray’s Wharf in Penryn and on Killigrew Street in Falmouth.

Fifteen-year-old Hesali Galuge of Penair Secondary School in Truro has reached the final of the South West Junior Chef of the Year competition after impressing judges with a spiced chicken supreme served with wild garlic and pea purée. She will compete at Exeter College in October and receive mentorship from Pete Murt, head chef at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. Several other young chefs from Cornwall also reached the regional final, while entries for the wider South West Chef of the Year competition remain open until July 31.

The Polurrian Hotel on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula has reached a major stage in a £10 million redevelopment, marked by visits from students at Mullion Primary and Mullion Secondary schools who signed the building works before they were enclosed. The project includes 10 new suites, upgraded leisure facilities, an infinity pool, gym, spa treatment rooms and a function suite for up to 120 guests overlooking Polurrian Cove and Mounts Bay. The investment is expected to support local employment and the regional supply chain, with completion planned for April 2027.

A charity colour run at Flushing C of E Primary School raised £2,587.98 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the CLIC children’s cancer ward at Royal Cornwall Hospital, held in honour of pupil Thea Barnett. Headteacher Carolyn Power highlighted the community spirit and strong fundraising efforts from the school’s 59 pupils, with additional support from parents and local businesses that sponsored the event.

Cornwall’s Eco Park in Porthtowan will host a summer programme of free live music from July 24 to August 29, featuring a range of artists and genres including blues, folk rock, house and shanty singing. Events begin at 8pm with food and drink available earlier, and full details are available on the venue’s website.

The Enys Chamber Music Festival returns from July 29 to August 2 with its largest programme to date, offering ten classical and folk music events across Falmouth and Penryn. The lineup includes performances by James Gilbert, Sean Morrison, the Kyan Quartet, Tarren, and pianist Keelan Carew, along with a candlelit Bach concert and a grand finale featuring works by Debussy, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. A new partnership with the Cornwall Music Service Trust introduces school workshops and subsidised instrumental lessons, expanding youth access to music. The festival was founded by Stefan Rogers and Ammal Bhatia with support from musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music.

A security initiative using SmartWater forensic marking is being deployed by Devon and Cornwall Police to deter theft at Cornwall rugby clubs following a rise in break‑ins. Seventeen clubs have adopted the technology to mark valuable equipment, supported by signage to discourage thieves. Police and the Cornwall Rugby Football Union highlight the scheme’s effectiveness in preventing losses and aiding recovery of stolen items, with kits supplied through a partnership with DeterTech.

Trispen Fun Day returns July 23–25 at Castle Field with three days of community activities, fundraising, and entertainment. Events include cricket, a charity night supporting Children’s Hospice South West, live performances, games, food vendors, and a full Saturday program featuring shows, competitions, and local group displays. Entry is mostly free with proceeds supporting community causes, and Beacon Vetcare is recognized as the main sponsor.

Dobbies Lelant will run a free Little Seedlings Club workshop on August 2, teaching children how sunlight and shade affect plant growth through hands‑on activities and a creative suncatcher project. The session aims to build interest in gardening and the natural world, and parents can reserve places online.

British Touring Shakespeare will bring open‑air performances of Romeo and Juliet and Dracula to Cornwall in July 2026, staging shows at Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre and Enys Gardens. Cast members highlight the appeal of performing Shakespeare outdoors, while co‑adapter David Hobbs emphasises authenticity in the Dracula production. The company aims to offer an accessible, immersive weekend of classic theatre for audiences of all ages.

Positive Response Training and Consultancy in Penryn certified its 1,000th trainer through its PBMpro behavioural management programme, coinciding with the renewal of its third consecutive Bild ACT accreditation. The company’s training aims to raise care standards across the UK by supporting professionals working in health, education and social care. Leaders from the Cornwall Innovation Centres highlighted the wider social impact of the organisation’s work and its role in strengthening care quality both locally and nationally.

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery in Truro is launching a six‑week programme of free family activities tied to its Cornish Myths & Legends exhibition, featuring storytelling, crafts, themed trails, and visits from the Screech Owl Sanctuary. A giant toadstool installation and the return of the Summer Passport scheme aim to enhance engagement. The museum is partnering with Visit Truro and Truro City Council to host additional weekday activities for primary-aged children.

Twelve new solar panel systems are being installed across NHS sites in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, generating significant clean energy and reducing carbon emissions annually. Supported by funding from the Great British Energy Scheme, the project expands the Trust’s sustainability programme and contributes to its goal of reaching net zero by 2030. Project managers and sustainability leaders highlight the collaboration and planning that enabled delivery across multiple hospital and office locations.

A free children’s summer programme returns to Truro from August 3 to 28, offering weekday activities at Victoria Gardens and the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery. Events include circus skills, storytelling, crafts, ventriloquism and nature sessions, supported by Truro City Council and local organisations. Activity packs, including the Denzel the Hedgehog Trail, will be available throughout the summer, with updates provided via Visit Truro’s Facebook page.

Inspectors rated St Francis CofE Primary School as meeting expected standards across key areas, highlighting strong early years provision and effective support for pupils with special educational needs. Reading was identified as a strength, with phonics results above national averages. Low-level disruption and concerns about bullying remain areas needing improvement despite new behaviour policies. Following a period of leadership instability, the school is now considered more stable, with recommendations focused on strengthening behaviour expectations and improving communication with parents.

A summer film programme at The Poly in Falmouth, supported by BFI Film Audience Network funding through the National Lottery, will showcase independent films celebrating Cornish culture and identity. The season features works by both established and emerging filmmakers, special events and Q&As, and highlights including films by Mark Jenkin and new titles by regional directors. Audiences are encouraged to join as members for discounts, with tickets available online or via the box office.

More than 500 students participated in Greenpower electric car races at Predannack Airfield in Cornwall, building and competing with kit cars as part of a nationwide STEM initiative. Teams from primary and secondary schools took part, with All Saints Academy Plymouth celebrating repeated success, including winning the Ford Engineering Award. Lockheed Martin supported the event by funding participation and promoting engineering engagement among students.

A community venue in Godolphin Cross has been upgraded with free ultrafast full‑fibre broadband provided by Wildanet through the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme. The improved connection supports local activities, services, and market traders, with local leaders highlighting its importance for digital access in a rural area. The venue is one of 15 sites benefiting from Wildanet’s rollout, which has also expanded gigabit-capable broadband to around 1,400 nearby homes and businesses.

Pam Ayres will perform at the St Ives September Festival on September 22 at the St Ives Theatre, bringing her well-known humour and poetry to one of Cornwall’s major arts events. Organizers expect strong attendance, highlighting her long-standing popularity since her rise in the 1970s. The festival, now in its 49th year, features more than 200 cultural activities across the town.

More than 200 people attended the first Boats on the Beach event at Newlyn’s Old Harbour, featuring historic vessels, food and live music as part of a fundraiser for the Cornish Maritime Trust’s planned Maritime Heritage Community Hub. Local leaders praised the renovation of the harbour and the event’s community spirit, while several boats continued on to the Sea Salts & Sail Festival the following day.

More than 1,000 classic vehicles will appear at the Wadebridge Wheels Classic Vehicle Show on July 19 at the Royal Cornwall Showground, featuring vintage cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and a large Porsche showcase. Run by Wadebridge Rotary to raise funds for local charities, the event includes trade stands, food vendors, and family entertainment. Last year’s show raised £16,000 for multiple community organisations, and organisers hope for another strong turnout to support charitable work across Cornwall.

Students at Camborne Science & International Academy hosted a Community Feast celebrating Cornwall’s food heritage, showcasing produce they grew and prepared with support from local farms and community partners. The event promoted sustainability, healthy eating, and collaboration, featuring ingredients from several regional producers. School leaders plan to expand the initiative, increase garden space, and strengthen partnerships to enhance food education.

Nanpean Community Primary School received a positive Ofsted report praising its inclusive environment, strong leadership, and improvements in teaching and learning. Inspectors noted pupils’ positive attitudes, strong attendance, and academic progress, including solid phonics, multiplication, and Key Stage 2 outcomes. Headteacher Rachel Nile and Truro and Penwith Academy Trust leadership celebrated the results as recognition of staff dedication, supportive families, and pupil effort.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has performed its first robotic surgery using a new soft tissue robotic system funded by NHS England and local charitable support. The technology increases surgical precision, reduces recovery times, and enables procedures previously unavailable in Cornwall. Surgeons trained in Belgium to prepare for the milestone, which is expected to benefit hundreds of future patients.

A Cornwall-made documentary, The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay, is now available for free global streaming through Journeyman Pictures. The 30‑minute film follows the Carbis Bay Crew as they explore disused mines while highlighting themes of friendship and men's mental health. Directed by Dan Simpkins and edited by Angus Breton, the project expanded from a small idea into a national cinema tour and won Best Adventure & Exploration Film at the Kendal Mountain Festival. The filmmakers have begun work on their next project.