Workshops & Activities 2015

Spacetalk with Chris Rowe

Chris Rowe is a former employee of BT, who started work at Goonhilly Earth Station as an Apprentice with the Post Office in 1975, retiring in 2007.

Chris gave an informative talk in front of Antenna 1 (Arthur) about the telecommunications heritage of Goonhilly Earth Station and the newly formed Goonhilly Heritage Society. He was also on hand during the day to talk about some of the telecommunications components on display in the Village Hall.

Image of GHY-1 (Arthur) under construction courtesy BT Archive

Super Segway

The lovely folk at Cornwall Segway offered visitors the chance to explore Goonhilly from a radical perspective at a discounted rate for the day, as well as refuelling visitors with coffee and delicious home made cake.

Photo: Cornwall Segway

Performance by the Mullion Handbell Ringers

One of the day’s highlights was a performance on the Village Green by the fabulous ladies of the Mullion Handbell Ringers who wowed the audience with a selection from their extensive repetoire. Thanks to Val and the ladies for delivering a fine performance in such an unorthodox location!

See more photos of the performance in The Goonhilly Chronicle

Tug-of-War

What village event worth it’s salt would close without an epic tug-of-war? Visitors young and old flexed their muscles in this titanic tussle.

People’s Museum of Goonhilly

The PMG had a display of artefacts from the collection of Helston Museum to look at and touch, alongside unique engineering artefacts and ephemera from Goonhilly Earth Station. Visitors were able to learn about what a seed lip is, try on a yoke and pull Arthur’s drive chain!

Photo: Field Notes

The Ghostly Lugger: Writing workshop with Kelly Stevens

Imaginations ran wild at Goonhilly Village Green’s writing workshops with Kelly Stevens. All ages explored the flora and fauna of the heath and talked about its history and its ghostly tales before creating stories and characters (human and otherwise) to populate the imaginary sixth parish of Goonhilly.

Read the stories in The Goonhilly Chronicle

Natural craft workshops with Claire Scott & National Trust Lizard Wild Rangers

Claire Scott and the team of National Trust’s Lizard Wild Rangers led some fantastic craft activities using natural materials. Garland making, wood turning, leaf bashing to decorate bunting and an apple press were much enjoyed by all who took part.

More photos of the activities on offer in The Goonhilly Chronicle

Food and drink by Wild Alice and M&M Marquees

Wild Alice served up delicious savouries and sweets all day with local ales from M&M Marquees.

Opening Procession and Cornish dancing with Scoots Kernow

Dancer Scoots Kernow and musicians Carlton and Steve led visitors from the Earth Station through the ceremonial portal to the Village Green for a traditional Cornish serpent dance around Liminal’s bell tower to open the event.

Guided Archaeology Walk with Charlie Johns

Thanks to Charlie, the guru of Goonhilly past, for leading our highly popular walks exploring Goonhilly’s incredible archaeological heritage. Here’s one of the groups contemplating the Drytree Menhir, or standing stone with commentary from Charlie. To download Charlie’s route, with information on the areas visited, go to http://www.the-lizard.org/index.php/article-archives/walks/333-goonhilly-downs-a-walk-through-history

Helyk the Goonhilly Nag: collaborative willow weaving with Miraclewood Outdoors

The Goonhilly or Gunhilly Nag was a native wild pony which is now extinct. Legend has it that the Cornish giant Anthony Payne rode his Goonhilly colt Samson into battle during the Civil War. The wonderful Sarah Henn from Miraclewood Outdoor CIC constructed Helyk (Cornish for ‘willow’) a life size pony made from local willow which visitors helped create during the day, using willow working techniques taught by Sarah.

See more of Helyk in The Goonhilly Chronicle