April promises a shower of fun and learning

AMBITIOUS proposals to stage an out-of-tourist-season Looe Valley Festival are gathering momentum.

Former chairman of Morval Parish Council, Kim Spencer, returned to the council chamber (well, Widegates Village Hall) to outline the prospects of an April 2025 event, entitled ‘We are of this place’.

Award-winner Mrs Spencer, who pioneered the Wringworthy holiday complex and remains a leading light in SECTA (the South East Cornwall Tourism Association), told councillors that other town and parish councils, together with community groups and individuals – all supported by Looe Development Trust – were proud of the place in which they lived and wanted to celebrate it across the wider community.

“We plan a month-long community-led festival in April 2025 called ‘We are of this place’,” she said.

“This will have something for everyone who lives here to take part in, contribute and learn, co-ordinated by volunteers from the group. All ideas are welcome and the broad themes we have earmarked are:

• “Guided walks: Experienced guide Mark Camp will co-ordinate this strand and lead some of the walks. We would love to see a walk from Liskeard to Looe up the Smugglers Way; (plus) at least one easy circular walk in each village, an accessible walk for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and a coastal walk/rockpool ramble led by Looe Marine Conservation Group;
• “Creative arts: Looe resident and Town Councillor Jon Holmes has stepped forward to co-ordinate this strand with members of the Liskeard Cultural Collective. It already includes suggestions for a community photography exhibition, live performances of spoken word, drama and singing performances and workshops;
  
• “Food and farming: We’re hoping this strand will connect with young farmers, the NFU (National Farmers’ Union)‚ and Duchy College (at Stoke Climsland, near Callington). There’s interest in regenerative farming, foraging events and local food markets, open gardens and plant sales led by garden clubs, and perhaps even a ‘Big Easter Breakfast’ or ‘Lunch’ in every town and village;
• “Heritage and history: lain Rowe will co-ordinate a strand that we would love to involve Easter holiday activities in the museums and events to explore the area’s industrial heritage as the link between the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site;
  
• “The Coast Environment: Looe Marine Conservation will co-ordinate this strand which we hope will include conservation activities around Looe Bay and up the valleys including in Kilminorth Woods and Deer Park, as well as something on water quality in our rivers.”
  

Mrs Spencer urged Morval Parish councillors to ‘spread the word around community groups – village halls, gardening clubs, walking groups, choirs, nursing and care homes, Wls, sports clubs, local schools, churches – in fact, anyone you can think of, and ask them to consider organising an event in April next year as part of the festival,’ she said.

“And, if you’re a parish or town council, think about what you would like to offer in your own area. 

“Could your hall host a ‘Big Breakfast’ or ‘Lunch’? Should we consider a flower festival involving all the local churches and gardening clubs? 

“Where might you organise a short circular walk suitable for lots of local people to join in and meet up? Please, just get involved.”

And she added: “Whatever you do or organise we can badge it as part of the festival.

“But it would be a real shame if all the other eight parishes do something and we (Morval Parish) do not.”

10th October 2024