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Cornwall Libraries team up with Kernow King to teach children Cornish history


Emily Harrison and Ed Rowe, the Cornish Caretakers

Children have been given the chance to learn about Cornwall’s fascinating and rich history thanks to a partnership between our Libraries and Ed Rowe’s award-winning Cornish Caretakers.

Thanks to funding from the Arts Council Lottery Fund, the immersive-learning group are touring libraries all over Cornwall with their latest fun and exciting play, A Cornish History.

The script has been written by Ed Rowe, aka Kernow King, is directed by Simon Harvey and performed by the Cornish Caretakers, Ed Rowe and Emily Harrison. It is an educational and humorous play about some of Cornwall’s long and proud history, in which they cover everything from a giggling Sir Humphry Davy to an old, wise Cornish Hedge.

Feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive, with many saying it was wonderful to see Cornish history made so accessible and fun.

As part of the experience, children take part in a workshop where they play Ed Rowe’s exclusive new board game Kernow! Children roll dice in a race to Roche Rock, learning interesting facts about Cornwall along the way,

There is also a book currently being illustrated by the brilliant Keith Sparrow, to accompany the show, which will be given out free from libraries to every child who has been to see the show.

Ed Rowe said: “As the Cornish Caretakers, it's always our ambition to entertain and inspire the children of Cornwall with our workshops and shows. I'm so thrilled that key stage 2 students are enjoying "A Cornish History" and my new board game, "Kernow!".

“Libraries are such inspiring venues and the children love being in them- filling the space with laughter and cheering has been a joy for the whole Caretakers team.”

Cllr Carol Mould, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods, said: “Our libraries are about so much more than borrowing books, they are a real cultural hub for our communities, providing extras such as access to the internet, educational support and research facilities.

“We have been delighted to host these workshops and shows, they are a brilliant way of engaging children with our rich history and culture and to inspire them to learn more about our wonderful part of the world.”

For more information on the exciting events taking place in our libraries, please visit Libraries - Cornwall Council

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