The 2018 Festival ran from 21st April to 5th May. We are grateful to Cornish Riviera Box Office for their help with ticket sales.
Please download the 2018 Brochure for full details.
2018
Saturday 21 April
The Changing Landscape of Mid Cornwall
Ivor Bowditch showed how this area is being transformed from an industrial landscape to a green and pleasant environment with heathland and woodlands.
Saturday 21 April
Beavers – the secret revealed
Chris Jones told us how he has facilitated the introduction of beavers into the Ladock Valley. Chris and his family have farmed there for many years in harmony with the environment.
Saturday 21 April
The Kit Hillbillies
From Calstock, Cornwall’s most entertaining old-timey, good-timey bluegrass band. A bracing mix of banjo, fiddle, mandolin and double bass, with lyrics that smuggle in humorous local references.
Sunday 22 April
A Musical Zoo
This concert showcased the talents of two internationally renowned musicians, Ashley Riches – bass-baritone and Emma Abbate – piano. Ashley is currently a BBC 3 New Generation Artist for 2016-2018. Emma is a professor at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and a staff coach at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Their programme subtitle is ‘I think I could turn and live with animals’. Composers include Schubert, Faure and Vernon Duke.
Monday 23 April
A Bacon Sandwich for a Master Chef
Ann Long, whose dedication to an extremely high standard of cuisine has earned her the accolade of being the West Country’s only woman Master Chef. Mags Ellyatt interviewed Ann about her remarkable career. No doubt there were some interesting tips too.
Monday 23 April
Charles Dickens & Wilkie Collins: A writing bromance
Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens were friends for 20 years. Jak Stringer revealed the stories behind kite flying trips to Paris, Vesuvius in clouds of sulphurous smoke, coastal walks in Cornwall and the women they loved.
Monday 23 April
M%nshine Whisky
Hamish Ludbrook, of Cornish M%nshine Whisky explained why ‘There’s a little bit of the Devil in every bottle’. The two unaged white whiskies are five times distilled in Cornwall. Tasting is ‘de rigeur’.
Tuesday 24 April
Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
Major Hugo White, infantry soldier, Secretary of the Cornwall Light Infantry Regiment, founder of Cornwall’s Regimental Museum and acclaimed author of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry ’One and All’ will talk on the role of this esteemed organisation.
Tuesday 24 April
Poems & Pasties with the Roseland Poets
For one night only – wonderful poetry read by local actors. Poetry
of wit, humour and pathos. An evening of entertainment – with
a pasty! Now will there be a ‘pasty’ poem??
Wednesday 25 April
Birds, Batteries & Beaches
Beginning at St Anthony’s Head, this circular walk with David Hall took us to Molunan Beach, Place Manor and back to St Anthony Head with opportunities to
observe wildlife and learn the history of this area.
The Auction Business & Valuations
Andrew Grainger of the Duchy Auction Company, told us of some interesting incidents that have happened in the auction business. Bring along an item that you would like valued, especially one with a particularly unusual story attached.
Wednesday 25 April
Beer Tasting
Roger Ryman, Head Brewer at St Austell Brewery since 1999, holds the IBD Master Brewer qualification and is an elected Fellow of the Institute. He spoke of some of the secrets of brewing a good beer and we ‘enjoyed’ it.
Thursday 26 April
Summer in February
‘Summer in February’ is a film about the artistic community at Lamorna Cove and set on the eve of the First World War. A romantic drama, featuring stunning scenery from the Lizard.
Thursday 26 April
Tales of the Roseland
Valerie Besley read extracts from her new book of short stories set on the Roseland through the ages. She is joined by Jim Causley, relative of Charles, folk singer and composer
Friday 27 April
Up the Creek
A boat trip on the river ideal for seeing the creeks, hearing the history and looking at the birds. With commentary by Tim Smithies and David Hall. Embarking at Tolverne.
Friday 27 April
Beautiful Minerals
Courtenay Smale, one of the foremost mineralogists in the world, will show samples of extremely rare minerals, some of which will be from Caerhays Castle and other private collections. Specimens will demonstrate how stunning
minerals are in their natural state.
Saturday 28 April
The Changing Landscape of Mid Cornwall
Ivor Bowditch showed us the landscape which was industrial but is now planted with over 1 million English broad-leaf trees and heathland.
Miracle Theatre Masterclass
A unique opportunity for young people across the Roseland to take part in and experience a Drama Masterclass with one of Cornwall’s leading theatre companies.
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 April
Playrite Theatre School: An American Songbook
We saw amazingly talented young people from Truro’s leading theatre school perform songs and dance from ‘An American Songbook’. All the best hit numbers from musicals such as Bugsy Malone and Chicago.
Sunday 29 April
Carne & Pendower Geological Walk
We were extremely fortunate to have Professor Colin Bristow to lead us on this walk. He explained the geological formations and history of this landscape.
Canoryon Lowen Concert
Canoryon Lowen was formed in 2002 under the directorship of Cornish Bard Nick Hart. Their repertoire is wide-ranging from classical to rock ballads, spirituals to musicals. Nick composes for Canoryon Lowen and prizes for
composition and performance have been awarded by the Cornish Gorsedh.
Monday 30 April
Lamorna Birch: Entranced by a special place
Louise Connell, Director of Penlee House Gallery and Museum at Penzance, will talk about Lamorna Birch and touch on some of the other Lamorna artists.
Dolphins, Porpoises & Whales
Cetaceans – dolphins, porpoises and whales – our coasts are a hotspot for these charismatic animals. Abby Crosby, Marine Conservation Officer, spoke about these exceptional creatures and highlight her work in research and conservation.
Tuesday 1 May
Nature, Landscape & History
We learnt more about fascinating Nare Head on a circular walk around the headland and valley led by David Hall, enthusiastic local bird watcher.
Sid River Blues
We joined Sid for an evening of acoustic music, songs and stories, part of whichwas set on the Isles of Scilly, where the Bishop, the Wolf and the Round Island embrace this mythical sanctuary.
Wednesday 2 May
Pool Under the Prom
Two women bathers in Cornwall 1870 – 1946
Jak Stringer & Linda Camidge present Splash! In 1890, two young women meet while taking the water. Over the years a stream of stories trickles between them: the Nevada Gold Rush, Peeping Toms, friends on the Titanic, WW1 and a carnival queen scandal.
Cornwall’s Influence on the World’s Engineering
Cornwall’s long mining history has had a major influence on many aspects of global engineering. Ivor Bowditch will explore the wide range of technology which has been passed onto other industrial applications globally.
Thursday 3 May
Marge’s Plants for Free
Marge Ostle, eclectic horticulturalist, will explain how and when to take different kinds of cuttings and how to care for them, giving you a hands on opportunity to take a range of hardwood and softwood cuttings.
Thursday 3 May
WWI, Trounce Guys & Friends
Later this year we will commemorate the ending of the greatest conflict the world has ever seen. In this, the Centenary Year, we thought it only right and proper that the Roseland Festival should play a part in remembering and honouring the dead and wounded. Trounce Guy, whose great uncle William was one of those who died, has written a special piece about him. He is joined by others who will play music, read poems, letters and stories which give us a small insight into the devastation caused by this terrible War.
Friday 4 May
Fran’s Pottery Day
Cornish born and bred potter, Fran took a group on a trail of discovery with Cornish clay. We were amazed what we could do.
Rebecca
A chance to see the acclaimed 1940 adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s psychological thriller. It stars Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine in this Oscar-winning film. ‘Rebecca’ was Alfred Hitchcock’s first movie.
Saturday 5 May
St Austell Town Band
It’s the last night of the Roseland Festival 2018, and what else could we possibly have to entertain us but a Championship Winning Cornish Brass Band – St.Austell Town Band.