My passion for Cornwall - Free2Read

A cityin-SpiredCORNWALL’S only city – Truro – is dominated by itsmagnificent modern cathedral and its three spires.Well, when we say modern, we mean relativelymodern. In cathedral terms, it’s a youngster. It was onlycompleted just over a hundred years ago in 1910 having taken30 years to build. The three spires which pierce the Truroskyline even have names – Victoria, Edward and Alexandra.Individual features of the cathedral include the heavilycarved Bishop’s throne; the choir stalls; the large font and thewindows which were designed in sequence - starting at thewest end and finishing with the great east window.There is always loads going on at the cathedral but thisyear there are a series of special events to mark the Queen’sDiamond Jubilee, the highlight of which is a very specialdinner event.SPARKLE UNDERTHE SPIREThis celebratory dinner to mark theQueen’s Jubilee has a special menucreated by celebrity TV chef JamieOliver’s team at his Fifteen Cornwallrestaurant, located in Watergate Bay onthe north coast.Head chef at Fifteen Cornwall, AndyAppleton, will also be ably assisted bystudents of Cornwall College.The dinner takes place on May 25and applications for tickets need to be inquickly as places are going fast.Proceeds from the dinner will goto Inspire Cornwall, the cathedral’sdevelopment project which is constantlylooking to restore and improve facilities.The current project is to restore theOld Cathedral School and create a multiusemusic, arts and creative centre opento the whole community.For more info email Lindy Skitch:lindy@trurocathedral.org.ukCATHEDRAL SHOPThe Cathedral Shop has a full range ofgifts and souvenirs and the CathedralRestaurant serves delicious freshlycooked snacks and meals with viewsover the Cathedral Green.Friday Lunchtime Organ Recitals takeplace at 1.10pm from March through toOctober with some of the best organistsin the country playing the famous FatherWillis Organ.THE CITY OF TRUROTruro stands at the top of the Fal Estuary,linked to Falmouth by ferry services alongthe Carrick Roads waterway. It becamefashionable during the 1800s and wasquickly established as the hub of countysociety.It’s a city of great elegance andcharm, its style harking back to the dayswhen people liked to show off theirwealth by building grander and moreaesthetic houses than anyone else.As a result the town’s Georgianterraces with their ornate craftsmanshipare the equal of anything similarcities such as Bath has to offer. Thebest examples are to be found inLemon Street built in the 1790s, andWalsingham Place, erected 20 years later.There has been a settlement at Trurofor centuries. It is thought it began lifeas a Celtic village, and then became aNorman settlement in the 12th centurywhen a castle was built high on the hillwhere the Crown Courts now stand.Truro has always been a bustling port.Vessels would moor up at Lemon Quay,but nowadays this is has been developedas a fully-covered multi-use public space.It houses the city’s indoor market, plentyof big name stores and is the venue for awide variety of arts events.THE KING HARRY FERRYThe King Harry Ferry is an iconic part ofCornwall’s history. Established in 1888, itconnects Truro, St Mawes and Falmouth.One of only five chain ferries inEngland, it departs every 20 minutesfrom each side, seven days a weekand the ferry is a key transport link forvisitors and locals alike.TRUROThe King Harry Ferry offers itspassengers the chance to avoid miles ofcongested roads and once aboard youcan get out and enjoy the slow rivercrossing which takes in one of Cornwall’sdeepest and most beautiful rivers – theRiver Fal.There has been a ferry operating herefor more than 500 years since it wasestablished by charter. The ferry bridgecrosses King Harry’s Reach which ispart of the Pilgrims’ Way to St Michael’sMount and is named after King Henry VI,the Lancastrian King.ROYAL CORNWALLMUSEUMThe museum’s varied collection coversall aspects of Cornwall’s history, cultureand environment. Treasures include a5000-year-old jade axe and a 2500-yearoldEgyptian Mummy, the internationallyfamous Rashleigh mineral collection withover 1200 beautiful specimens on displayand a fine art gallery offering somethingfor everyone. It is open Tuesday-Saturday.For a full programme of lectures,exhibitions and family activities visitwww.royalcornwallmuseum.org.ukTRURO FOR KIDSTruro has plenty to offer in the way ofstuff to keep the kids happy.From the end of July to the beginningof September daily activities take placeat the Hendra play area behind VictoriaGardens, from Bouncy Castles to Punch &Judy provided by Truro City Council.For older children there is theHendra Skate Park opened in 2009 andBoscawen Park is a large open spacebeside the river with tennis courts,cricket and football pitches as well as achildren’s play area. Opposite the parkis the duck pond popular with localchildren.Sweetpea & Betty - A breath of fresh airWith the wonderful range of furniture onsale at Sweetpea and Betty full of timelessclass and style, you are sure to drawinspiration and want to create wonderfulpieces like these for yourself. Well, you can!Sweetpea & Betty not only sell furniture and itemsthat evoke memories of a chic and stylish age of design,they also give you the skill to make your own uniquepieces.With all the hustle and bustle of modern life ahalf-day spent at a Sweetpea & Betty up cycling (that’srecycling by improving) and furniture painting workshopis sure to bring out your creative side.This innovative workshop shows you the basictechnique to rejuvenate the tired furniture in your homeand give it that chic designer look which won’t breakthe bank or your back.Up-cycling means taking something bound for theskip and turning it into a chic new item with muchadded value.There’s no need to bring your furniture with you –just all your ideas and plans! The workshops are suitablefor beginners, including teenagers with an interest in art,interior design and painting.The workshops are small and intimate so you can beassured of individual attention to help bring out the bestof your creative side. So if you fancy turning your trashinto treasure or finding the perfect feature piece for yourhome give Mary and Tricia at Sweetpea & Betty a visit,or call on 01326 211246.Cornwall Tourism Magazine in association with www.cornwalltouristpass.com discover the extraordinary 17