Touring rural performance group marks 25 years

A touring arts scheme has marked 25 years of bringing music and theatre to rural areas of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Creative Kernow's rural touring scheme, Carn to Cove, marked the milestone at an event at Perranporth Memorial Hall on Friday, joined by founders, promoters, performers and rural touring leaders.

Founder and former Creative Kernow director, Ross Williams, said he was "really proud" of the scheme's quarter-century success.

Culture and place manager at Creative Kernow, Louise Kemp, said the anniversary was "so special", adding "I'm just so grateful that we can keep going after 25 years."

The programme works with village halls and community venues to bring professional performances, such as dance, theatre, comedy and music to audiences.

It has reached about 4,500 audience members since it was founded and worked with more than 2,300 artists.

For Kemp, the anniversary was a chance to celebrate both longevity and ambition.

She said: "We're working with more and more promoters across Cornwall so we can get to every neighbourhood, hopefully.

"It's really important to us that everyone gets to see something that might appeal to them."

The foundations for Carn to Cove were laid at the turn of the millennium.

Williams, who was the chief executive of Creative Kernow for 30 years, said the late 1990s and early 2000s were a particularly positive period for arts funding.

"There was more money around, and the Arts Council was keen to support county-wide schemes," he said.

Working with Cornwall Council and arts officer Jennifer Lowe, organisers developed a pilot project before securing funding for a county wide scheme.

Williams said performers would often stay with local people in a bid to keep costs down.

"That's just really fascinating," he said. "I think we've had people from all over the world staying with us in our cottage in Stithians," he said.

"They're natural storytellers, all these people. So, it's very easy to get on with them and I think that's a really warm sort of human part of the scheme.

"I just think it's an amazing way of introducing the world to Cornwall and Cornwall to the world, because you get such a choice of people."

Former scheme manager Claire Marshall dedicated about 17 years to Carn to Cove.

"Quite a large part of my life was given over to rural touring," she said.

"Carn to Cove was used as a model or a mentor for several countries in Europe who wanted to set up their own schemes.

"So I guess that's the thing that sort of sticks with me the most."

Marshall also highlighted the opportunities the scheme creates for local performers, including aspiring actors who look to move out of Cornwall.

"They don't need to," she said. "Rural touring is an actual job. It's a route into theatre-making and music."

Now working as a promoter herself, Marshall still has ties with the scheme which puts on events at the venues she works and volunteers with.

"Carn to Cove will always be with me, I think," she said.

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